
M 



hi i 




THIS IS THE HOMEY, BRIGHT, CLEAN BEDROOM WHICH THE 

GIRLS OCCUPY 



THE HOME-MAKING SERIES 

THE HOME AND THE 

FAMILY 

AN ELEMENTARY TEXTBOOK OF HOME MAKING 

BY 

HELEN KINNE 

PROFESSOR OF HOUSEHOLD ARTS EDUCATION, TEACHERS COLLEGE 

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, AUTHOR OF " FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD 

MANAGEMENT" AND "SHELTER AND CLOTHING" 

AND 

ANNA M. COOLEY, B.S. 

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HOUSEHOLD ARTS EDUCATION, TEACHERS COLLEGE 

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, AUTHOR OF " FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD 

MANAGEMENT " AND " SHELTER AND CLOTHING " 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

1917 

^11 rights reser'ved 






Copyright, 1917, 
By the MACMILLAN COMPANY. 



Set up and electrotyped. Published January, 1917. 



JAN 19 1917 



Norfajooli iPress 

J. S. Gushing- Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. 

Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 



CI.A453733 



PREFACE 

This little volume is to be used in the elementary 
schools as a supplementary reader to the two textbooks. 
Food and Health and Clothing and Health. It is intended 
for the home people, too, as well as the school and to be 
used in those sections of the country where the home life is 
of the type described. 

This volume " The Home and the Family " tells of 
some of the happenings at Pleasant Valley. One of the 
school trustees gives a cottage near the school and Miss 
James, the teacher, occupies it with two of the girls in turn. 
The decoration and furnishing of the Ellen H. Richards 
House, as it is called, the repairing of household furnishings, 
and methods of cleaning of the home are all described. 
The book also considers the care of the baby as the most 
important member of the family, and gives a simple lesson 
on the care of the sick. The final chapter of the book gives 
a series of lessons on personal efficiency, and the authors have 
grouped in a summary way the thoughts of the lessons on 
food and clothing, cleanliness and management, which con- 
tribute to better living. 

The authors are indebted to Professor LaMonte Warner 
and the Department of House Decoration of Teachers 



111 



iv PREFACE 

College for the four colored illustrations which so closely 
interpret the spirit of this book. The authors also express 
thanks to Mrs. Mary Schwartz Rose of Teachers College 
for her suggestions and careful reading of the lessons on the 
care of the baby. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



The Pleasant Valley School 

Chapter I. The Story of the Cottage loaned to the Pupils 
OF THE Pleasant Valley School . 

Lesson i. What can be done to make the girls' bedroom comfort- 
able and attractive ? The bedroom walls and floors 
Lesson 2. The articles of furniture for the bedroom . . 
Lesson 3. Chairs for the bedroom . . . . 

Lesson 4. Another bedroom to furnish . . 

Lesson 5. The bathroom ........ 

Chapter IL The Furnishing of the Cottage is continued 
AND the Dining Room and Living Room are 

STUDIED 

The color scheme for the livins; room 



PAGE 

I 



Lesson i. 
Lesson 2. 
Lesson 3. 
Lesson 4. 



The furniture for the living room .... 
The plans for the dining room .... 
A name is chosen for the cottage, and a party given 



Chapter IIL How shall the Ellen H. Richards House and 
OUR OWN Homes be kept Clean and in Good 
Order ?..... 

Lesson i . Dust and dirt ..... 

Lesson 2. Taking care of the bedroom . 

Lesson 3. Cleaning the living room and dining room 

Lesson 4. Cleaning the cellar, kitchen, and pantry 

Lesson 5. A few suggestions for laundering . 

Lesson 6. Household pests ..... 



16 

25 
35 
44 



48 

50 
57 
70 

87 



95 

96 

108 

117 

131 

142 

148 



VI 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Chapter IV. 
Lesson i. 
Lesson 2. 
Lesson 3. 
Lesson 4. 

Lesson 5. 
Lesson 6. 

Lesson 7. 
Lesson 8. 
Lesson 9. 
Lesson 10. 

Lesson 11. 



How TO CARE FOR THE BaBY OF THE FAMILY 

What we are to study about next 
How shall we keep baby clean ? .... 
Some things to make baby grow .... 
The food for baby is the most important thing in help 

ing to keep him well ..... 

Pure milk for baby ...... 

Some things to be careful about while preparing baby', 

milk ........ 

How to modify baby's milk .... 

Other foods during the first year .... 

What kind of clothing should baby wear ? . 

Shall we make or buy baby's clothing? How much will 

it cost? 

The normal, healthy baby is a joy 



Lesson i . 

Lesson 2. 

Lesson 3. 

Lesson 4. 

Lesson 5. 

Lesson 6. 

Lesson 7. 



Planning for twenty-four hours 

Some helpers in keeping well 

In case there is sickness at home 

Another helper .... 

The well-planned budget helps to keep one happy 

Work helps to keep one well and happy 



One more thought. 



What is your share 



PAGE 
161 

162 
164 
168 

177 

i8q 

186 
189 

195 
197 

204 
209 



Chapter V. One must be Well and Happy in order to enjoy 
THE Home which one has planned. Have 

YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THIS ? . . . .212 



214 
244 
250 
258 
265 
272 
284 



y^j\i 













THE PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL 

This is a story of the way in which the mothers and 
fathers, the teacher and pupils, and their friends in the 
township work together to make the broad valley in 
which they live truly a Pleasant Valley. The new 
school stands where the little red schoolhouse was 
built for those who are now grandmothers and grand- 
fathers, when the town was first settled. The old 
building had become too small for all the young folk, 
but everybody loved the place and it was not until 
a fire had destroyed it that money was voted for 
larger and better housing for the school girls and boys. 

This small book can describe only a part of every- 
thing that is being done in and for the school, and for 



2 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

the home people too, for you know that no town can 
prosper and no country be great unless the homes are 
healthful and happy, where all the members of every 
family work and play together. Do you not want to 
help too, in your home, and in your home town ? Some 
of you have already studied what the pupils of the 
Pleasant Valley School learned in the books called Food 
and Health, and Clothing and Health. This story tells 
of the cottage near the school which was loaned to the 
pupils of the Pleasant Valley School, and of the many 
interesting things they learned there. 










'.yii/A^'\) 



Little red schoolhouse. 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




CHAPTER I 

THE STORY OF THE COTTAGE LOANED TO THE 
PUPILS OF THE PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL 

Some of those who read this story have possibly 
studied in the books, Food and Health and Clothing and 
Health, about the Pleasant Valley school and all that 
the boys and girls learned there about homemaking. 
You will be glad to know that all the townspeople in 
Pleasant Valley were delighted with the work in home- 
making in the new schoolhouse. Mr. Roberts, the 
President of the Pleasant Valley bank, was so well 
pleased with the results both at school and in the 
homes of the Valley that he gave the house which you 
see in the picture (Fig. i) to be used for homemaking 
work for the girls', and for the boys' clubs as well. Do 
you like it .^ The house is very near the school. Miss 

3 



4 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

James the teacher helped the girls and boys to furnish 
it. The picture (Fig. 2) shows how the house looked 
before Mr. Roberts had it remodelled. It is one hun- 
dred years old. 

This book is the story of how the house was decorated 
and furnished, and of what occurred in it. It was 




Courtesy of R. J. Planten. 
Fig. I. — The Ellen H. Richards House of Pleasant Valley. 

named for Mrs. Ellen H. Richards, the great and good 
woman of Boston, Massachusetts, whose friends are 
found all over the world, and who helped to develop the 
teaching of home economics everywhere. This book 
tells how it happened that the girls chose her name for 
their house. 

In this house at Pleasant Valley there are five rooms 
and a bath, besides a small hall entrance. On the first 



STUDYING THE HOUSE 



5 



floor the living room is situated on one side of the hall- 
way, and on the other the dining room. The kitchen 
and pantry are adjoining the dining room. Upstairs 
are the two bedrooms and the small room which Mr. 
Roberts had arranged for a bathroom. Mr. Roberts 
is one of the School Trustees ; and the Trustees asked 
Miss James to live at the cottage because there is no 




Fig. 2. — The Ellen H. Richards House before it was remodeled. 

other suitable place near the school. Mr. Roberts 
thinks that the girls will enjoy occupying the second 
bedroom occasionally in turn. 

What do you think the girls decided to do in order to 
earn some money for the furniture ^ They gave a 
supper at one of the Pleasant Valley churches and in- 
vited all the people from the other churches to join 
(Fig. 3). Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Stark, and Mrs. Oakes, as 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



well as Mrs. Alden and some of the other mothers, 
are much interested in the cottage. All helped the 
girls to make the evening a success both socially and 
financially. In addition to what the girls were able 

to buy, Mrs. Roberts 
provided some of the 
necessary furnishings, and 
the parents loaned arti- 
cles, so that the home is 
attractively and comfort- 
ably furnished. 

Miss James is very 
happy to have the cottage, 
and says that homemak- 
ing is a worth while study 
to have at school, because 
girls must be taught about 
the right ways to make 
their homes healthful and 
attractive, as well as about 
other things. There are 
many things to know in 
order to live well and 
happily in one's home. Would you like to learn how .? 
The studies connected with homemaking are all inter- 
esting ones. Miss James started the work with the 
study of the decoration and furnishing of the cottage. 
It was not a new house, but paint and varnish have 
made it fresh and clean ; and knowing how to combine 




Courtesy of Doublcdaij, Page & Co. 

Fig. 3. — The church where the supper 
was held. 



STUDYING THE HOUSE 7 

colors and furnishings has helped make it attractive. 
All this had to be done inexpensively too ; for, after 
all, the girls had very little money to spend. 

But some of you may not know the secret about 
Pleasant Valley, and may ask And where is Pleasant 
Valley? Perhaps you asked this question when you 
looked at the first page. Pleasant Valley is your own 
home town ; and, though it has really quite another 
name, it may still be Pleasant Rivers, or Pleasant Hill, 
or Pleasant Fields, or Pleasant Plain. Why not ^ In 
this wide country of ours there are many forms of 
natural beauty ; and, even in the dry sections where 
trees are grown with difficulty, there are still the far 
reaches of the plains and the beautiful effects of cloud, 
sunrise, and sunset. If your own town is ugly and un- 
healthy, it is not Nature's fault, for the beauty and 
homelikeness and the healthfulness of any place de- 
pend upon its inhabitants. Even the simplest and 
plainest village or country-side has one kind of beauty 
if it is kept perfectly clean, and it costs but little money 
in many places to plant trees and shrubs and keep the 
grass green. 

You must see, however, that it is something more 
than beauty in the things about us that we are to 
study together. You boys and girls in your school are 
to be the men and women who will make the homes 
and the town the best possible places for successful 
and happy living. Do you realize what it means to 
be citizens of a great commonwealth like this of our 



8 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

United States ? Do you understand the meaning of 
the word '' commonwealth " ? It is a good old word 
that means a land where all the people share everything 
alike and work together for the good of all. We can 
not succeed in doing this unless we begin in our home 
and in our home town. More and more must our 
country stand for democracy for ourselves and the 
whole world, and you must bring to the problems of 
the future bodies ^strong and clean, and strong hearts 
and minds. 

Lesson i 

what can be done to make the bedrooms comfortable and 
attractive ? the bedroom walls and floors. 

What do you think was done to make the bedroom to be used 
by the girls a pretty, comfortable, and healthful room in which 
to live ? Let us study to-day about the walls and floors. 

Have you ever thought what you could do to make 
your bedroom more attractive? It is, of course, 
easier to start from the beginning and to plan it the 
way one wishes ; but every girl can improve her room 
gradually, and change things about, until she has made 
it as attractive as possible. 

The girls of Pleasant Valley School visited the cottage 
with Miss James and studied the bedroom to be used 
by the girls. Miss James says a bedroom is primarily 
a place for rest. It should have only the most simple 
furnishings and those which can be kept absolutely 
clean. An ideal bedroom has good ventilation and 



THE BEDROOMS 



sunlight. It should be comfortable as well as pretty, 
with a good bed. Since one third of life is spent in 
bed, one cannot be truly efficient unless one rests well ; 
therefore, one should think carefully in planning for 
the right kind of bed furnishings as well as bedroom 
articles of furniture. Sometimes it is necessary to 
use the bedroom as a 
combination bedroom and 
study. Then, in furnish- 
ing it, one must think of 
a comfortable place for 
writing and reading, as 
well as for sleeping. 

The wooden floors of 
the bedrooms were rather 
rough, and the woodwork 
around the window frames 
and panes was dirty, al- 
though once white. The 
doors also showed signs 
of stain, ill usage, and 
neglect. It was a prob- 
lem to know how to make 
it all look well. There are four windows in the bed- 
room to be used by the girls (Fig. 4). The circulation 
of air is good, as one window faces south, one east, 
and two west. 

The first problem was the floor. Hardwood floors 
are most beautiful and hygienic in any room, but this 




Fig. 4. — The bedroom looked very much 
Hke this before the boys and girls 
started to clean and repair it. 



lo THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

floor was only rough boards of old timber. The girls 
suggested that a painted floor is next best to a hard- 
wood floor of oak or maple. Yellow pine makes a 
good floor too, if one cannot afford hard wood, and if 
one cares to lay a new floor over the old boards. Miss 
James said she would help the girls to order the paint 
for the cottage ; and some of the boys, John Stark, John 
Alden, and others, said they would help to put it on. 
Some of the cracks and holes in the floor were filled in 
first, and then a stain and varnish or paint of suitable 
color was put on to make it fresh and clean. It is 
always sanitary to have rugs in a bedroom, and bare 
floors can be kept clean easily. This saves time as 
well as strength in cleaning. The girls thought that 
the woodwork of doors and windows should remain 
white, but Miss James said we can tell better about 
that too when we consider the room as a whole, and 
study the lighting of it. The old white paint Is at 
least a good foundation, and cream or gray can be put 
over it. Miss James told the girls that the floors and 
the walls are the background for the decoration of the 
room, and that the final effect of furnishing will depend 
on how these are treated in color, and what kind of 
rugs are used. This is a particular point to remember. 
Miss James had samples of colors for paint, woods, 
and finish which she had sent for. Manufacturers of 
paints and varnish will tell how to treat all kinds of 
floors to best advantage. 

Before deciding about the color of the floors, the 



THE BEDROOMS ii 

girls had to think of the color of the walls too. Neu- 
tral colors are good for the floors, as they are apt to 
harmonize with the furnishings. The floor color should 
be selected, however, with reference to the wall color. 
The girls studied the walls before deciding about the 
floors. 

Miss James says the walls should be studied in 
relation to the light, the size of the room, and its use. 
This bedroom has light from three sides, and is oblong 
in shape. Painted walls are always the most sanitary. 
The walls of this house are old, and there were a num- 
ber of wide cracks in the plaster. The girls decided 
to fill in the cracks in the walls and ceiling with plaster 
and to ask the boys to help kalsomine the ceiling. 
This will truly cleanse too. Miss James thinks that 
the pure white kalsomine is not always attractive for 
ceilings, as it is often such a contrast to walls, and does 
not harmonize with them. A little yellow ochre put 
into the kalsomine will give it a creamy color which will 
harmonize with side walls and not make so sharp a 
contrast between wall and ceiling, but rather grad- 
ually merge one into the other. Mrs. Roberts, while 
visiting the class one day, told the girls that one 
should expect the darkest tones under foot at the floor 
and a gradation of color up to the ceiling, which 
should be the lightest value. After one decides about 
the color of walls, one can tell better whether the ceiling 
should be cream or white. On account of the cracks. 
Miss James thought the walls could be covered with a 



12 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

simple, pretty wall paper after the cracks were filled 
in. As there is plenty of air and sunshine in this room 
to keep it dry and sweet, the question of sanitation is 
easily handled. In some rooms wall papers decay and 
become infected with germs, so that paint which can 
be scrubbed with soap and water, is better. A bedroom 
should, however, never be a damp place. Dampness 
will cause illness. Which do you think will be best 
for your own bedroom if you decorate it ? Paper is 
very common for wall covering and is, as a rule, cheaper 
than paint. If paper is used, care must be taken to 
keep it clean by rubbing it down occasionally with a 
clean cloth to remove dust ; and, after a certain period 
of use, it should be changed. 

The girls wondered which paper to select from the 
book of samples. Miss James told them the sunlight 
of the room or location of the room as well as one's 
particular preference should help one to decide. Do 
you know that, when there are only a few windows and 
the room is rather dark or gloomy, a light wall color 
of cream or yellow or pale yellow-green or other light 
color with white woodwork will produce a light effect ? 
Have you tried this at your home ^ Do you know that 
this is due to the reflection of light as well as to the 
decoration ? Where would the light be reflected from ^ 
It enters the room from the windows at the sides and 
strikes the walls and ceiling which reflect the light. The 
girls soon discovered that their bedroom at the south 
end of the house must be treated in a different way in 



THE BEDROOMS 13 

relation to color from Miss James' bedroom located 
at the north end. On the north side one needs warm 
colors because there is not so much warmth and light 
from the sun. Yellow, in different values, or colors 
with orange or yellow in them, called terra cottas, 
tans, golden browns, buffs, etc., can be used according 
to the purpose of the room. When there is plenty of 
sunlight, as in the bedroom with southern exposure 
to be used by the girls, then the cool colors look the 
best, — the light values of green, blue, lavender, 
gray, and tan, although these fade more rapidly. 
Bright yellows or reds are not comfortable to live with 
in a sunny room, and greens or blues are cold and un- 
comfortable in a room with little light or with light 
from the north. Have you studied your bedroom at 
home to see what color 
can be put effectively 
on the walls ^ Have 
you discovered why it 
is you feel cold or un- 
comfortable in some 
rooms and have a rest- 
ful happy feeling in 

others ^ Fig. 5. — This is the wall paper which 

After MiciQ T^ittipq' tplW ^^^ '^^°'^" ^°' ^^^ ^''^' '°°"'' ^^^ 

Alter iViiss James taiK, doyouHkeit? 

the girls decided that in 

the sunny south bedroom a wall paper with blues in it 
would look well. They selected one with light blue, 
gray, and white tones predominating. Blue is a cool 




14 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



color, you know. The picture (Fig. 5) shows the 
pattern. It is often difficult to find good designs in 
the inexpensive papers. 

Miss James asked about the woodwork, "Should it 
be painted white or some other color?" Marjorie 

Allen thought that light silver- 
gray would be very pleasing 
for the woodwork, and a darker 
gray paint for the floor, to give 
the gradation of color. After 
discussion it was decided to 
use a light gray paint for the 
woodwork in the sunny room 
and to have the woodwork 
white in Miss James' bedroom 
which is not quite so light. 

The ceilings are low in the 
bedrooms. Miss James says 
when that is so borders should 
not be used, for they make a 
room seem low. Stripes in the 
paper will emphasize the height 
of a room. The blue and gray 
paper selected had rather an 
indefinite stripe. Can you think, then, what one might 
do to make a high ceiling look lower .? The height can 
be broken by carrying the color of ceiling down on the 
side walls or by using a border with a picture molding 
below. Sometimes one can drape the windows so as to 





w 


M 


^^^m <" 


■ 


L. 


II 





Fig. 6. — Marjorie Allen — one 
of the Pleasant Valley girls. 



THE BEDROOMS 15 

give a broad effect and so break the height, or one can 
use pictures of such a shape that horizontal hnes are 
made on the wall. Of course one avoids striped paper 
in such a room. Who can tell about the color of the 
ceiling ^ With the light blue and gray paper, and light 
gray woodwork, what color do you think the girls 
chose for the ceiling ? Jane said she thought the 
white kalsomine would be most suitable, although Miss 
James thinks a little yellow ochre should be put in to 
relieve the deadness of the white. 

Did you think there were so many things to con- 
sider in selecting the colors for the woodwork, floors, 
and walls of a room? Do you not think this cottage 
bedroom must look attractive with the ceiling and 
wall cracks filled in, the ceiling kalsomined, and the 
woodwork painted a light, clean gray .? The wall 
covering is of the pretty blue and gray paper. 
Wouldn't you too like to sleep in this room some- 
times ? 

How about the floor? What color do you think it 
was painted in order to form a good background ? 
Do you think this one should be painted dark gray or 
a light brown to harmonize well with the rest of the 
room .? Remember this is a very bright sunny room. 
Do you think the girls and boys of Pleasant Valley 
School were able to fill the holes in the woodwork 
with putty, and the cracks in the floors with filler, be- 
fore the paints were put on ? All this helped to make 
the finished effect more pleasing. To-morrow we shall 



i6 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

study about the necessary articles which the Pleasant 
Valley girls thought should be put in this bedroom in 
order to make it a truly comfortable place. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Think of some bedroom you know. How do the windows 
face, to west or east, or south ? Write how you would change the 
color of walls, floors, and woodwork if you were able to do so. 

2. Why are floors usually darker in color than the ceilings ? 

3. Do you like the bedroom planned by the Pleasant Valley 
girls ? Would you like to live in it .? Why ? 

4. Give some suggestions for keeping the bedroom healthful 
and sanitary. Why is it important to keep it so ^ 

Lesson 2 
the articles of furniture for the bedroom 

What articles are really necessary in order to furnish this bedroom 
comfortably .? 

Grandmother Allen of Pleasant Valley told the 
girls that she had not forgotten how to weave on the 
hand loom and would make two rag rugs for each bed- 
room if the girls would sew the strips for the rags. 
Such rag rugs can be bought inexpensively, but not 
always of the color one wishes ; so the girls were glad 
to have Mrs. Allen's contribution of her own hand 
work, and to have an opportunity to choose their own 
colors. She is very much interested in all that the 
girls are doing, and anxious to help. The girls thought 
that rugs of dark blue and white or dark blue and gray 



THE BEDROOMS 



17 



and white would harmonize, for again the darker 
tones must be used on the floor of dark gray. A httle 
yellow might be intro- 
duced in this border if 
desired for variation. 
Grandmother Allen 
told the girls she has 
not forgotten how to 
dye cloth, and helped 

the girls to dye the Fig. 7. — Rag rugs made of cotton can be 

rags one Saturday at eoTtfaVlVri^^^^^^^^^ One 27 x 54 inches 
her home. 

These are the articles which the girls thought were 

quite necessary for the girls' room, if used by two girls : 

2 comfortable chairs 




2 single beds, and furnishings 
I bureau 

I chiffonier, or chest of drawers 
I desk table 
I shelf for books 

a closet or place for hanging 
clothes 



1 desk chair 

2 rugs 

I scrap basket 

curtains 

I lamp 



The arrangement for hanging clothes. As there is 
no closet in the girls' bedroom they decided to ask the 
boys to put up some brackets and a shelf, in one corner 
of the room. The shelf was made the width of a coat 
hanger and put up on brackets. Under the shelf the 
boys suspended a pole with screw eyes and picture 
wire, and placed one end of the pole in a socket against 
the wall to keep it firm. This made a very good place 



i8 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



for hanging the girls' clothes (Fig. 8). They provided 
several hangers by using pieces of barrel staves wound 
with cotton cloth. A piece of wire around the center 
for a hook answered. Hangers keep the clothing in 

good order. Another shelf 



about twelve inches from 
the floor, directly under 
the upper one, was found 
very useful for shoes. Miss 
James announced to the 
boys that she wanted one 
in the closet in her room, 
for it will keep her shoes 
away from the floor. A 
pretty curtain of blue 
chintz to harmonize with 
the wall paper was gathered 
just a little, with a heading 
to stand up around the 
edge of the shelf ; and gilt- 
headed tacks were used to 

Fig. 8. — The corner closet space looked hold it in plaCC aloug the 

iront and end oi the shelr. 
The curtain reached nearly to the floor. Several 
of the girls who have no closets in their rooms at 
home but simply hang things on nails or hooks, said 
they are going to plan such a corner storage space 
in their rooms, so as to protect their clothes from 
dust. 




THE BEDROOMS 



19 



The bedroom curtains. Miss James thought that 
chintz or cretonne of the same kind as the curtain would 
look well at the windows. The picture (Fig. 9) shows 
how a half width of cretonne can be used at each side 
of the window. It is just 
full enough. A tiny hem 
can be used at the edge J 
which is not selvedge ; or g 
one can make one turn 
to the right side on the 
edge at the middle of the 
window and bottom of 
curtain and stitch flat 
over the turned edge a 
narrow guimpe, which 
costs about two cents a 
yard. The finish is neat, 
then, on both sides. Do 
you know the cost of 
chintz or cretonne .? In- 
expensive patterns are 
often pretty and can be 
bought for 12 cents a 
yard, although one can pay 25, 50 cents, or even more 
per yard. When the width is divided, the over-cur- 
taining really costs only half that price per yard. 

The girls had so little money to spend that they 
decided that cheese-cloth curtains next to the window 
sash would be most useful. They hang in soft folds 




Fig. 9. — This shows how half a width of 
cretonne can be used at the sides of 
the window. 



20 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

and are easily washed. Miss James suggested that a 
one-inch hem when finished, along the center edges 
and across the bottom, with or without the narrow 
guimpe edge for a finish, will be very pretty. Some 
girls wished figured Nottingham curtains, but they 
learned how unsuitable and clumsy they are for bed- 
rooms and how difficult to wash and stretch. Dotted 
Swiss, brussels net, scrim, or madras are all suitable 
and pretty. Miss James had samples of all to show, 
but the girls soon discovered how attractive the simple 
cheesecloth curtains could be made, and how inex- 
pensive and suitable they are too. Cheesecloth costs 
from 8 to 20 cents per yard. One can get a good enough 
quality for this purpose for 12 cents. The other 
materials, scrim, nets, etc., cost from 15 cents to ^i.oo 
per yard. Look at some samples and study the 
prices. Would you be sorry to use the cheesecloth 
for your bedroom .? Perhaps you can afford a 25-cent 
Swiss ; it is very pretty and suitable too. Curtains 
are for decoration to soften the lines of the wood casings, 
and for privacy in a bedroom. The over hangings of 
chintz are a matter of taste. Anything which catches 
dust is unsuitable in a bedroom, unless it can be re- 
moved often and shaken out. Think of this always 
as you furnish your bedrooms. 

Hanging curtains. The simple ways of hanging 
curtains in bedrooms are best (Figs. 9, 31). Simple 
brass rods can be used, or, if one has no rods, the cur- 
tains may be strung instead on strong wire or cord 



THE BEDROOMS 



21 



between two nails. The straight hnes of the curtains, 
with or without a valance, are most pleasing. You 
can see a valance in the picture on page 50. They are 
not difficult to make and are pretty made rather deep 
in rooms where the ceiling is rather high, or narrow in 
rooms with low ceiling. It hangs between the side cur- 
tains or over them. Sometimes valances are put around 
the bottom of beds too, for decoration, from the spring 
to the floor. If used they should be removed often 
and washed. 

The girls' beds and bed furnishings. Mrs. Roberts 
sent word to Miss James that she would give the two 
beds for the girls' room. 
Single, white enamel, iron 
beds without brass trim- 
ing are simple and inex- 
pensive and suitable for 
such a room. They cost 
with springs ^7.50 (Fig. 
10). I wonder why Mrs. 
Roberts didn't give a 
double bed. Can you 
think why ? The mat- 
tresses are good felt ones. Hair is of course the best, 
but is expensive. A good hair mattress for a single bed 
6 feet 4 inches X 3 feet wide costs ^20. A felt one costs 
from ^8 to ^10. The springs have good strong edges, 
and the pillows are made from the curled goose and duck 
feathers raised on Mrs. Roberts' farm. It would cost 




Courtesy of Whitcomb Metallic Bed Co. 

Fig. 10. — This is the style of bed chosen 
by Mrs. Roberts for the girls' room. 



22 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

$3.50 per pair to buy them in size 20 X 28. The blankets 
are new, and are made of cotton and wool, — a double 
one for each bed. The sheets and pillowcases are of 
cotton, and Mrs. Roberts says she bought the sheets 
long so they can be turned down over the blankets 
for at least 15 or 18 inches to prevent the blankets 
from becoming soiled when in use. Such blankets of 
cotton and wool cost $3.50 per pair, and all wool ones 
$y to ^9 per pair. Grandmother Allen says she used to 
care for the sheep, wash and card their wool, spin it 
on the big wheel, and then weave the blankets. Would 
you like to do all that ? It is interesting work, but 
modern machinery and inventions are our helpers, 
and save time for other uses. 

Sheets for the beds. Grandmother used to weave 
the sheets, too ; but of linen because cotton was not 
available for use. Do you know why ? You have 
learned that linen was used long ago, even in Pharaoh's 
time in Egypt. When was cotton machinery for 
ginning perfected in America so that cotton was 
available ? Good linen sheets of medium grade for 
single beds cost from $2 to ^3 each ; cotton ones of good 
quality cost from ^.50 to ^i.oo apiece according to 
size. If you are to make the sheets at home, buy 
sheeting, single, two-thirds, or full-sized bed, either 
bleached or unbleached. The usual size of sheets is 
from 54 inches X 94 inches for single beds, to 90 
inches X 112 inches for double size. In Grand- 
mother Allen's day the cloth was woven rather narrow 



THE BEDROOMS 



23 



and a seam, placed in the center. This was deemed an 
advantage, for as the sheet became worn in the center, 
the outer edges were turned towards the middle and 
sewed together. It is possible to make them of un- 




Courtesy of Teachers College Record. 

Fig. II. — This shows how chintz or Japanese crepe can be used as a border 
for the bed cover used during the day. 

bleached cloth and seam them at the center. This 
is usually done by hand with the overhanding stitch. 
Mrs. Roberts gave a quilted pad for each bed, to be 
placed under the sheet to protect the mattress. Bar- 
bara Cakes says at her house they use an old single 
blanket for this purpose. 



24 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Spreads. Dimity spreads can be bought for ^i.oo 
or ^1.25 apiece for single beds, and are not so heavy 
as the Crochet and Marseilles materials. For day use 
the girls decided to make bed covers of white muslin 
with some of the pieces of chintz for borders. The 
one in the picture (Fig. 11) shows a simple way of 
using such decoration. 

Pillowcases. One may use tubing which comes 
ready in several widths, so that it is not necessary to 
seam them, only to hem the ends. This costs from 
19 to 27 cents per yard and varies in width. Cotton 
pillowcases 22! X 36 inches can be bought for as little 
as 16 cents apiece, or linen ones for ^1.35 per pair or 
as much as ^4 or ^5 per pair. 

So you see how many things one must know about 
textile materials in order to choose wisely the furnish- 
ings for any home. They must be suitable and pretty 
and answer one's purpose. When the Pleasant Valley 
girls studied their textbook. Clothing and Healthy 
they learned about textile materials. Perhaps you 
have studied this, too. To-morrow we shall continue 
our study of the other furnishings which the girls chose 
for the bedroom. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Name the necessary furnishings for the iron bed. 

2. In furnishing a bed what articles are necessary for warmth ? 
For cleanliness ? 

3. Can you think of any other arrangement for storing clothes, 
besides the one the Pleasant Valley girls used, if you have no closet ? 



THE BEDROOMS- 



25 



4. How many sheets and pillowcases would Mrs. Roberts have to 
give for furnishing these beds and for change ? From your teacher's 
catalogues estimate how much you think they will cost. 



Lesson 3 
chairs for the bedroom 

What chairs and other articles of furniture will be suitable for this 
bedroom? 

Have you ever thought how many different kinds of 
chairs there are in the world, and do you know that 
many of them have names ? Some are called by the 





Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum 
of Art. 

Fig. 12. — Why do you like 
this old Jacobean chair ^ 



Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum' 
of Art. 

Fig. 13. — This chair is a copy 
of an old Chippendale design. 



Style or period of time when they were used, as Colonial, 
meaning about the eighteenth century ; Georgian, or 
Jacobean, Louis XIV, or Louis XV. There were four 
English cabinet makers of the eighteenth century who 



26 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



were true artists and designers. Their names were 
Thomas Chippendale, A. Heppelwhite & Co., Thomas 
Sheraton, and James and Robert Adams. Not all 
cabinet makers are artists. Not all chairs are suitable 






p 


I 


I 




^^-^^m 1 


1 9 WM 






1 



No. I. No. 2. 

Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Fig. 14. — These two old chairs are interesting. No. i is of Sheraton design 

and No. 2 is Heppelwhite. 

for bedroom use. There are many simple chairs which 
have been reproduced from the old English or Colonial 
models, and some of these are usually in good taste." 
Have you ever studied the chairs at your home ? 
Perhaps you have inherited some of Grandmother's 
old mahogany. Or you may have in your house chairs 



THE BEDROOMS 



27 




Courtesy of Wm. Leavens & Co. 

Fig. 15. — The old Wind- 
sor chair loaned by Mrs. 
Adams. 



which are of the Colonial period 

or possibly some designed by the 

firm of Heppelwhite, or Chippen- 
dale, or Sheraton. If you have, 

they are treasures worth caring for. 
The manufacturers of chairs and 

furniture of to-day study the old 

styles and very often copy them. 

Sometimes they go to the museums 

in large cities to copy the choice 

pieces. The pictures (Figs. 13, 

14) show characteristic examples 

of these old cabinet makers' work. 

It will make an interesting exer- 
. cise to look up the lives and work of these cabinet 

makers, and to write a com- 
position about them. 

Learning to identify furni- 
ture of different periods. It 
is a profitable study to learn 
about furniture of different 
periods and to be able to 
identify it. Perhaps in the 
homes in your neighborhood 
there may be many interesting 
old pieces which you can bring 
together for an exhibit. Some 
of the members of the Pleas- 
ant Valley Mothers' Club will 




Courtesy of Wm. Leavens & Co. 

Fig. 16. — The girls will use this 
style of wicker chair in their 
bedrooms. 



28 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



loan pieces of furniture for the cottage. Mary Adams' 
mother has a Windsor chair which she says she will 
contribute ; perhaps it can be used in the living room. 
The picture (Fig. 15) shows how it looks. 

Wicker chairs. If one cannot have old pieces, there 
are some modern chairs which are in good taste for 
bedrooms. Do you not think the picture of the willow 

chair is attrac- 
tive ? Such chairs 
can be bought for 
from ^4.00 to 
^10.00 apiece. 
The girls decided 
to have two in 
the girls' bedroom 
and to use some 
of the chintz for 
seat covers. This 
furniture is ser- 
viceable and com- 
fortable, as well 
as inexpensive. 
Cottage furniture. The modern furniture, called 
cottage furniture, is very good in style. It is simple in 
line and design. The good old furniture of the Colonial 
period was characterized by its simphcity of line and 
design. The pictures (Figs. 17 and 18) show some good 
chairs of cottage furniture, simple in style and suitable 
for bedrooms. " Sets " of furniture in bedrooms are 




Courtesy of Wm. Leavens & Co. 

Fig. 17. — Cottage furniture suitable for bedroom 
chairs. The girls use a straight chair like this 
for their desk chair. 



THE BEDROOMS 



29 



apt to be monotonous. Chairs of varying styles, as a 
wicker chair or one of Windsor style, add interest. 

In Jane Andrews' attic there is an old rush-seat chair 
which is worn and scratched. Miss James thinks that 
can be painted white, too, to match the bureaus, and 
will answer for 
the desk chair. 
The lines are 
simple and it is 
free from orna- 
mentation. In 
its day, one hun- 
dred years ago, it 
was a very good 
chair. So all the 
chairs have been 
chosen. The 
wicker ones are 
the unstained, 
unvarnished ones, and look well with the chintz. 

The bureau and chiffonier. One of the girls, Agnes 
Groves, had a bureau in her attic, but it was with- 
out a mirror and had no handles. Molly Stark said 
her mother has an old chiffonier of drawers. Neither 
of these are old pieces ; but they are of oak which is 
spotted, and the varnish was well rubbed off from use. 
The mothers say they were glad to get rid of them. 
Miss James told the girls such old pieces may easily 
be repaired and painted for the girls' bedroom. So 




Courtesy ol Wm. Leavens & Co. 

Fig. 18. — Two more chairs suitable for a bedroom. 



30 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



they took them out of doors and scrubbed them well 

with hot water and soda, inside and out, and painted 

them with one coat of white paint and one of white 

enamel. Miss James sent to Mr. Wright's hardware 

store in Pleasant Valley for two sets of brass handles 

very simple in design ; 

and the two necessary 

pieces were complete 

except for the mirror. 

The boys said they 

could construct a 

frame ; and the girls 

decided to paint it 

white and to buy a 

piece of glass. This 

is to be hung over 

the bureau. 

The desk table. 
This piece of furniture 
was easily found, for at 
the hardware store, are 
simple kitchen tables 
with single drawers. 
As it was too high, 
a half inch or an inch was cut from the legs. This 
table was painted to match the bureau and looked 
well with a blotter of gold color on it. Have you 
felt that perhaps even in this sunny room a touch 
of the sunshine color was needed .? Try to see how it 




Courtesy of Wm. Leavens & Co. 

The chiffonier which the girls 
repaired. 



Fig. 19. 



THE BEDROOMS 



31 



adds to the effect of any such room. This table need 
not cost more than ^2.00 for a medium size. It will be 
a comfortable place for writing ; and the lamp may 
rest upon it. Can you not picture one of the girls 
writing and preparing her les- 
sons, and the other seated in 
one of the wicker chairs at 
the side of the table reading ? 

This room did not need a 
washstand, as the bathroom is 
adjoining. Mr. Roberts had 
planned for a wash basin with 
running water as well as a 
tub. The girls can keep most 
of their necessary toilet articles 
there. 

A waste basket. This is a 
necessity in every bedroom or 
living room. One of the girls 
who knows how is making one 
of rattan. It will match the 
wicker chairs in color. 

The pictures. Miss James 
asked the girls about the pic- 
tures and other decorations, 
remembered, is for rest and should be kept sweet and 
sanitary. Too many things in a bedroom collect 
dust. It is decided to have three pictures which will 
remain and to let each girl who visits the cottage home 




Courtesy of Wm. Leavens & Co. 

Fig. 20. — The bureau which the 
girls scrubbed and painted. 
Notice the simple mirror placed 
above it. 

The bedroom, they 



32 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

bring with her such personal pictures and belongings as 
she would like to have about her. 

The question of what pictures to have is important. 
Do you know that in Japanese homes they bring out 
only one picture at a time and really enjoy it .? In 
most American homes we usually have too many 
pictures and objects about. Miss James said that 
pictures of friends and relatives are personal things and 
can be placed in one's bedroom. She also said that 
there are many lovely reproductions of pictures of 
famous artists to choose. Do you know the names of 
Whistler, Corot, Millet, or Sargent ? There are hun- 
dreds of others. From their works one can always 
choose some simple pictures for the bedroom which will 
be restful, and acceptable to those using the room. 
Photographs of exquisite bits of scenery are also pleas- 
ing. Be careful in choosing the frame and the mat. 
White mats are as a rule too conspicuous on most walls. 
One must study the background and color of room in 
choosing mat and frame. In the girls' bedroom of 
the cottage white mats looked well on some pictures. 
The frame should be neat, simple, durable, and not at 
all conspicuous. The frame is to bring out the beauties 
of the picture, not to call attention to itself. Most 
people hang their pictures too high. On a line with 
the eye when standing is a good rule. The hanging 
of pictures requires thought, too. The size of space on 
the wall should be considered in relation to the size 
and shape of the picture, and a large square picture 



THE BEDROOMS 33 

should never be hung in an oblong space. It is always 
a relief and good taste to have some wall spaces with- 
out pictures. 

The shelf. The boys have been asked to put up a 
shelf on brackets. This is to be placed reasonably low, 
and is to be four feet long. Miss James thinks this can 
be painted gray too, and will be a convenient place for 
the books the girls will be using. There are two books 
on the shelf which will remain — The Bible, and a 
dictionary. Marjorie Allen says she thinks a pot of 
ivy from her back yard will look very well on the book- 
shelf at the end near a window. The ivy hangs grace- 
fully from the shelf and makes the best kind of decora- 
tion, — so much more attractive than bric-a-brac on 
the shelf. 

A bright, homey, clean room. So Miss James and the 
girls have made a homey, bright, clean, attractive room 
for the girls to occupy. (See Frontispiece.) How dif- 
ferent it is from the cracked ceilings and walls and the 
dirty boards of the floor when they took possession ! 
The sunlight gives all the warmth necessary for part 
of the year ; but in one corner is the stovepipe hole, 
where the little wood stove can be put up in winter. 
A wood fire is easily started and warms the room 
quickly. This room is so pleasant that all the girls 
are anxious for their turn to come to occupy it. Per- 
haps you would like to study your bedroom at home 
and change it sometime, if you cannot have a cottage 
near your school. Some girls have earned money on 



34 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

their tenth of an acre by raising and canning tomatoes, 
and have used some of their own money to make their 
rooms and homes more attractive (Fig. 21). As you 
have learned from this story, much can be done with 




Courtesy of Wm. Leavens & Co. 

Fig. 21. — A simple bedroom tastefully furnished by a Pleasant Valley girl, with 

cottage furniture. 

thought and ingenuity and a Httle money for paint and 
a few necessary things. Do you think the girls' bed- 
room will be a difficult place to keep neat and attrac- 
tive ? Some day we shall study how to clean, for the 



THE BEDROOMS 35 

girls wish to learn to do all the work themselves and 
to care for the whole cottage. 

Miss James' bedroom will be studied next. Do 
you think the girls made it look quite dififerent ? It 
should, for it is for an older woman ; and then the 
light and location made it necessary to treat it differ- 
ently. To-morrow we shall study about how they 
planned for the other bedroom. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Place a piece of tracing paper over the picture of the Shera- 
ton chair and trace it. Do you like it ? Compare with any old 
chairs you have at home. 

2. Can you plan a .loan exhibit of old chairs which are good in 
line and design ? 

3. Bring all the pictures you can find of chairs suitable for a bed- 
room. Mount on cardboard or brown paper. Discuss them in 
class. 

4. Trace any good pieces of bedroom furniture you like from 
books on house furnishing at the town library. Bring the tracings 
to school for discussion. 

5. Tell in 200 words what you would like to have in your bed- 
room. 

6. What pictures do you suppose the Pleasant Valley girls chose 
for their bedroom .? 

Lesson 4 

another bedroom to furnish 

The bedroom facing north and west makes another problem in 
furnishing. How do you think the walls, floor, ceiling, and wood- 
work should be decorated .? 



36 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Miss James says she loves sunshine. The north 
bedroom has two windows, one facing north and the 
other west, so that the late afternoon sun enters there. 
The floor and walls were in the same condition as the 
girls' bedroom ; so all had to go to work to fill in the 

cracks and holes of walls 
and ceiling, floors and 
woodwork, with plaster, 
putty, and filler. 

The colors were stud- 
ied for the walls, floor, 
and woodwork. We have 
learned that warm col- 
ors are best in a room 
with little sunshine. 
Jane Andrews thought 
that some bright sun- 
shine-yellow paper with 
stripes or a good all over 
design would be pretty. 

Fig. 22. — The wall paper used for Miss nTViere was a lovelv SUn- 
James' room. , . ,, . i 

shme-yellow one m the 
sample book, which had an all-over pattern. This is 
really good because it is so indefinite that one would 
not be conscious of it when one enters the room. Have 
you ever noticed how the flowers seem to jump at 
you when you enter some bedrooms ^ That is not a 
good design which is so conspicuous that one is con- 
scious of it. The picture (Fig. 22) shows good de- 



THE BEDROOMS 37 

sign of wall paper of all-over pattern something like 
the girls chose for Miss James' bedroom. Marjorie 
thought that the ceiling should be cream instead of 
white kalsomine. Can you give the reason why this 
is right, in order to have gradation of color ? A little 
yellow ochre will make the kalsomine a good creamy 
color. Can you tell what color the girls thought best to 
place on the floor .? Yes, it must be darker than the side 
walls. What will harmonize with the sunshine-yellow 
paper ? Yes, brown will make just the right kind of back- 
ground if you study the value of it and have it neither 
too dark nor too light, nor too red, but with enough 
gray in it to harmonize with the walls. How to treat 
the dirty white woodwork in this room was a problem. 
Of course the holes had to be filled with putty, and then 
it was painted. The girls voted and Miss James 
helped with her suggestions. She said that it must be 
some light value of color. Do you know what light 
value of a color means ^ It is almost the same as 
saying a small per cent of the color with white added. 
It must harmonize with the sunshine paper, brown 
floor, and creamy ceiling. Yes, white would be quite 
in harmony, for this room has not as much light as 
some. Jane thought she would prefer creamy white 
Hke the ceiling, and Marjorie suggested that the wood- 
work be painted very light brown, a little darker value 
than cream color. Miss James is to occupy the room 
and, although anyof these would look well, she preferred 
to have the white woodwork. Miss James thought 



38 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Fig. 23. — Miss James uses this old bed 
which belonged to her grandmother. 
Notice the simple lines. 



she would like to choose the colors for the rag rugs 
which Grandmother Allen says she will weave. On 

the dirt-brown floor she 
thinks that a gray-green 
of middle value will look 
well with a border of a 
little white and black and 
a stripe or two of dull 
yellow. Miss James 
gave the girls the design- 
ing of this rug for a prob- 
lem at school. They had 
to show the size, shape of 
the rug, and right proportion of each stripe of color in 
relation to the whole. It is much more interesting to 
design for a real thing to 
be used than for an in- 
definite thing. 

Miss James' furniture. 
Miss James had an old 
mahogany four-post bed 
which belonged to her 
grandmother. It can be 
used very well in this bed- 
room. It is simple in 
design and has four high 
posts with knobs at the 
top. The boys rubbed it off^ with oil and gave it a 
fresh finish. It belongs to the Colonial period, as do 




Fig. 24. — Miss James' desk is of Colonial 
period. 



THE BEDROOMS 



39 



Miss James' desk and bureau which will be placed 
in this room. Miss James treasures these three old 
pieces and enjoys them so much that she always uses 
them, and has taken them with her to the different 
towns where she has taught. The bureau has columns 
at each end and three large drawers below and two 
smaller ones at the top. 
There is a long, oblong 
mirror with mahogany 
frame which hangs above 
it. How well it looks 
against the yellow paper 
and with the white wood- 
work ! One of the com- 
mon combinations in 
house furnishing of the 
Colonial period was the 
use of mahogany rails 
with the white woodwork 
of the staircases, and 

1 . . t r • Fig. 2q. — The bureau, too, is old. 

white wmdow irames m 

the rooms with mahogany furniture. 

There is a good-sized closet in Miss James' room, so 
that it was not necessary to plan for the shelf and cur- 
tain, although Miss James says she would like three 
shelves built for her books, one the same height as in 
the girls' room, and two below. 

Miss James thinks she would like one of the wicker 
chairs for her room. She will use the straight high- 




40 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



backed chair which Marjorie's mother has loaned for 
a desk chair. Miss James thinks her room looks very 
cosy. 

The curtains and pictures. Miss James decided to 
have scrim of a creamy color for the curtains in her 
room, with the selvedge left at the edge and a hem 

of two inches placed at the bottom. 
The curtains fall in straight lines from 
the rod to the sill of the window. 
There is no heading at the top, only 
a casing for the rod. The girls made 
these and had practice in straight 
stitching by machine. The chintz is 
a combination of green, yellows, white, 
and a touch of burnt orange. Can 
you picture how pretty it looks ? Half 
a width with the guimpe edge will be 
enough to hang at each side of the 
Fig 26. — This straight wiudows I just as thosc for the girls' 

chair loaned by Mrs. •' ^ 

Allen is very suitable rOOm WCrC planned. 

for a desk chair. Yqy pictures Miss Jamcs has some 

views of the Swiss mountains at Zermatt showing the 
Matterhorn and Mt. Rosa, and also a lovely one of the sea 
at Amalfi in Italy. Her family photographs, and books 
completed the room. Miss James also has a beautiful 
Boston fern which was given to ner by the gradu- 
ating class last year. The boys made a small stand 
from some of the soap boxes in the woodshed and 
painted it white to harmonize with the woodwork of 





m 


^4 



Cou/teny of Wm. Leavens 
&Co. 



THE BEDROOMS 



41 



the room. Miss James uses a lovely Indian basket 
with a brown and orange design as a jardiniere for the 
fern. How lovely it will look near the west window ! 
It can sometimes be moved into the girls' room for 
more sunshine, in the early mornings. 

Miss James has two or three small bowls for flowers, 
but otherwise no bric-a-brac in her room. How 
comfortable she will be ! The small table which has 
the tip top belongs to Mrs. 
Aiken. It holds the lamp and 
one of the bowls of flowers. 
The girls made covers of the 
chintz for the bureaus, tables, 
and chifi^oniers. They were 
made to lie flat one inch from 
the edges of the table or bureau, 
and the guimpe used as a trim- 
ming all around the edge. Can 
you think of Miss James in her 
wicker chair seated near the 
table reading, after her day at school, or writing at the 
desk .? How glad the girls were to make her room 
such a pretty, healthful place ! It is light, airy, and 
sanitary. 

If you haven't a cottage to plan, perhaps mother 
would like to have you remodel her bedroom. Re- 
member always that it is a place for rest and must be 
clean and free from dust. Perhaps there are pieces of 
good old mahogany or other furniture in your attic, 




Fig. 27. — The tip-top table 
loaned by Mrs. Aiken. 



.^i^ 




Drawn by Dliji. uJ Huu\t DituniHuiL. Ttacliers College, N. Y. C. 

Fig. 28. — Miss James' bedroom is very attractive. All the neighbors 
enjoyed seeing it when completed. 



THE BEDROOMS 43 

which you can repair and use again for a change. Jane 
Smith of Pleasant Valley says her mother is anxious 
to have her room rearranged and says Jane may do it. 
She has rag carpet on her bedroom floor, and Jane 
says there is a lovely mahogany bed and bureau. The 
combination is good, but of course a carpet which is 
tacked down is not as sanitary as rugs which can be 
taken outdoors and beaten. If it is necessary on ac- 
count of the needed warmth to have a carpet, it could 
be made like a large rug and tacked at the edges. 
During the warm part of the year it could be removed, 
and a few rag rugs or matting put down. 

After Jane finishes rearranging her mother's room, 
the Pleasant Valley girls expect to go with Miss James 
to see if Jane has remembered the essential things to keep 
in mind in planning for a pretty, healthful bedroom. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. What are some of the colors one can use In bedrooms which 
have little sunUght ? 

2. Bring to school any samples of wail paper, stripes and all- 
over designs, which you have at your house. Pin on the wall. 
Criticise from the point of view of design, of light, and of place where 
they might be used. 

3. What kind of a bed would be suitable for Miss James' bed- 
room if she hadn't had her own old furniture ? 

4. What other articles of furniture would you choose for this 
room, if Miss James' pieces were not to be used ? 

5. What are your opinions in relation to the use of carpets in 
bedrooms ? 

6. What kind of pictures do you enjoy in your bedroom ? 



44 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Lesson 5 



THE BATHROOM 



The bathroom Is one of the most important rooms in the house. 
The Pleasant Valley girls decide how theirs shall be furnished. 

Mr. Roberts had the plumbers put in a white porce- 
lain tub at the school cottage. There is also a small 

basin with running 
f water, and a toilet. 

This is a great con- 
venience for both 
Miss James and 
the girls ; for it 
is not necessary 
for them to have 
the washstand in 
their rooms, with 
the' bathroom so 
near. This room 
was once a large 
closet and was be- 
tween the two bed- 
rooms with a door 
opening into it 
from each room. 
It also has a good- 
sized window. 
The ceiling and walls were very cracked and the wood- 
work was in the same condition as that of the other 




Courtesy of J. L. Mott Iron Company. 

Fig. 29. — A bathroom must be kept clean and be 
simple in its furnishings. 



THE BATHROOM 45 

rooms. The cracks were filled in, and the girls decided 
that white paint was best and cleanest looking for the 
woodwork. The bathroom should always be planned 
so as to furnish as much comfort and cleanliness as 
possible with the least amount of care. The furnish- 
ings should be as simple as possible. 

The girls noticed that the window faces east, and 
decided that some yellow value a little deeper than 
cream would give the room warmth and a note of color 
and cheer. Miss James reminded them that the one 
thing to keep constantly in mind in this room is sanita- 
tion. It is in connection with planning a house and 
furnishing the rooms that many of the hygiene talks 
which Miss James emphasized last year can be put 
into practice. Shall the walls be papered or painted .? 
Miss James says, even though the cracks are notice- 
able because not well filled in, and the surface is some- 
what rough, she thinks that paint is much more 
sanitary for this room than paper. A painted surface 
can be washed and kept very clean. So the girls and 
boys decided to paint it light yellow or cream. 

The floor was a problem. It was rough, but with filler 
and brown paint of dirt color, Miss James told the girls, 
it was greatly improved. In a bathroom it is, of course, 
very nice to have tiled walls and a tiled or hardwood 
floor ; but, in this old house. Miss James thinks that the 
painted floor and walls will give satisfaction and cleanli- 
ness. The floor could have been covered with linoleum. 

The bathroom furnishings. What furnishings were 



46 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

necessary ? Yes, three towel racks : one for each girl 
and one for Miss James ; and then rods for bath towels. 
A rug is necessary and a bath mat adds comfort. A 
small rag rug like those in Miss James' room would 
look well. Jane Andrew discovered there was a piece 
of hit-or-miss rag carpet at home, which her mother 
said she might have. Jane ravelled it a little at each 
end and tied the warp threads in a fringe. This 
answered the purpose and looked well. 

In this room, the girls decided to use a white cheese- 
cloth curtain of the same kind as those in the girls' 
bedroom. A small mirror, an ordinary one which 
one of the girls found in her attic, was painted white to 
hang above the washstand. On each door are two 
brass hooks, and the girls have made some brown denim 
laundry bags to suspend from each door. The boys 
have built a small cabinet from an old box, and it has 
been painted. What a suitable place to keep the 
toilet necessities away from dust, and also to use as a 
" first aid " closet ! A shelf just above the washstand 
has been put up by the boys, and is very useful. They 
have also, at Miss James' suggestion, placed a small 
shelf low near the bathtub, where a box of cleanser 
and a scrub brush are kept for cleaning the tub. 

The room is quite complete except for a chair or stool. 
One girl brought a low rush-seat chair. It is an old 
one of good lines, and Miss James thinks, if it is scrubbed 
and then treated with a coat of varnish, it will look very 
well. A low chair is most convenient in the bathroom. 



THE BATHROOM 47 

When you are tired would you like to go to such a 
clean room and take a bath ? What a pleasure it 
would be ! It cost Mr. Roberts ^100.00 to have the 
bathtub and toilet put in. There was plenty of water 
on the place and a good tank, so that it was easy to 
plan for it. Perhaps some day you can earn enough 
money to have a tub put in your house. One can be 
clean by washing oneself all over every day, but a 
tub is so much easier and more convenient and such a 
comfort. The girls think this will be a very easy room 
to keep clean. Some day we shall have a lesson on 
how to do it. 

There is a small closet in the hallway near this room, 
and Miss James thinks it is a very good place to keep 
the household linens, beddings, towels, sheets, and face 
cloths. She will explain how later. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Describe a sanitary bathroom. What should it contain for 
comfort and cleanliness ? 

2. Where does the water supply for your bathroom come from ? 

3. If you could buy toilet supplies for this bathroom, what neces- 
sary ones would you select ? 

REVIEW PROBLEMS 

I. In what ways would you change the girls' bedroom of the 
Ellen H. Richards House if you were to plan for its furnishing ? 

II. What plans are being made for your teacher's comfort and 
happiness in your Pleasant Valley ? 

III. What are the essential requirements of a comfortable bath- 
room ? 




CHAPTER II 



THE LIVING ROOM AND DINING ROOM 

There were also a living room and dining room to 
be furnished at the Pleasant Valley cottage. The girls 
studied the living room first and planned to make it 
comfortable and pretty. What color scheme would you 
choose for such a room ? - 

Have you ever noticed that you enjoy some rooms 
more than others, and that in some you feel happier 
and more comfortable .? So many girls say this about 
the Starks' living room at Pleasant Valley. This feel- 
ing is often due to the fact that the room is well dec- 
orated and furnished, and to the fact that the beauties 
of line and form and color have a pleasing effect. Such 
an atmosphere makes one happy and is conducive to 
better living. We sometimes like the homes of others 
better than our own, because some people are able to 
bring about such pleasing effects, or harmony. It is 

48 



THE LIVING ROOM 



49 



well to study how to make one's home attractive in 
this way. A house must be furnished in relation to 
health and convenience too, if the home is to be truly 
successful. It must be simple and adapted to one's 
way of living, and be a place which brings cheer and 




Co urtesy of Farmers Wife Journal. 
Fig. 30. — The corner of a cozy living room. 

comfort as well as an atmosphere of rest. This can 
be done even though one has very little money, if one 
understands how to get the pleasing effects. How 
about your home .? Are you helping to make it such a 
place ? The League girls planned their cottage so that 



50 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Courtesy of Farmers Wife Journal. 
Fig. 31. — Another cozy living room. Notice the windows with the curtains and 

valence. 

it has a truly " homey " atmosphere. Miss James 
taught them about the principles to be kept in mind in 
order to have it so. 

Lesson i 
the color scheme for the living room 
In planning the furnishing of a room, what do you think is the 
first thing to consider ? 

Miss James says the first idea in relation to furnishing 
is the thought of unity. You too have learned about 
unity in design in your art work, and you know that 



THE LIVING ROOM 



51 



it is due to the right relation of shapes and Hnes, of 
dark and Hght and color. Anything which intrudes 
itself has poor design, and is out of harmony. One 
should be conscious only of a delightful whole. Miss 
James says that if we adapt this principle of art to 
the decoration and furnishing of our homes, we will 
not plan a bright-red room to open into a lavender one ; 
we will have no disturbing elements ; and there will 
be a definite 
scheme in mind 
in planning the 
whole. The 
Pleasant Valley 
girls have cer- 
tainly carried 
out the principle 
of unity in plan- 
ning for the bed- 
rooms. 

Simplicity is 

another principle. Miss James says simplicity in all 
things is an evidence of good taste, although many 
people do not practice it. It means having the 
things which meet the needs of daily living and of 
comfort rather than many useless things. Mrs. Stark 
is particular about this. It means avoiding mixtures 
of all kinds of furnishings and materials. It means 
having one picture or print which is good rather than 
having half a dozen bright chromos or large family 




Country uj CrajLbinan Company. 

Fig. 32. — An attractive corner. 



52 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

portraits in gilt frames. It means one simple vase for 
decoration with perhaps a spray of flowers, rather than 
a room full of bric-a-brac, which many homes exhibit. 
It means that use as well as beauty has been a guide 
in furnishing. To have true simplicity the articles 
about the home should express the individuality of 
its members and should be honest, simple, and true. 
Another day Miss James planned to tell the girls some 
of the other principles which they can take for guides. 

The girls visited the cottage with Miss James and 
studied the empty rooms of the first floor. They 
found plenty of cracks, as upstairs, to be filled in. 
The north room has a floor of wood and an open fire- 
place which is very deep, and a simple mantel shelf 
of white wood with carved columns at the sides. 
This room is to be used for the living room. It has 
windows at the north, east, and west, and a door 
leading out on the west porch. There is another door 
leading into a small hallway. The dining room and 
kitchen are on the other side of the hall. 

The girls studied the situation. Yes, there was 
plenty of light and air, but no southern exposure. It 
is a room that is so well lighted that it did not need 
especially light colors for reflected light, nor very sunny 
colors because of the east and west windows. It 
can, therefore, be treated with rather medium tones. 
Miss James had a sample book of papers and turned 
to the lovely golden browns. She held them up 
against the wall. Then she told the girls about color. 



THE LIVING ROOM 53 

The girls were anxious to learn, for they appreciate 
how important it is to know about color combinations 
for effective house decorations, or for dress. Miss 
James said that color schemes for rooms must be 
studied in relation to light. We have learned that 
gradation of color is a part of every scheme, and we 
know that the darkest values are often placed at the 
base and the lightest at the ceilings. Do you re- 
member how that was considered in the bedrooms 
and how the intermediate values between the lightest 
and darkest were on the walls ? 

Miss James talks about color. Miss James says 
to think about color is a good way to study it. Nature 
does not make mistakes. Observe what she teaches. 
Have you seen how different are the sunsets on a clear 
day from those on a misty one when all is rather gray ^ 
See the wonderful backgrounds. They are of what 
is called middle values of gray or purple, brown or 
green. The bright colors are only in patches. Byway 
of relief Nature plans for this gradation of color, too. 
Notice that the sky is of lightest value, the ground of 
the darkest, and the foliage and general background 
for houses and fences, stones and trees are of middle 
value of color. It is these middle values of color 
which make the true backgrounds for our homes or 
in dress. Miss James tried the greens, also, against 
the wall. They, too, looked well. In the book there 
were simple all-over designs and some plain papers 
too, called cartridge paper, which has rather a rough 



54 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

surface. The girls liked the effect of the plain paper, 
and decided on the brown of good middle value which 
seems to have some sunshine in it. In other words 
it is a warm brown. They decided to paint the floor 
a slightly darker brown than the wall paper, and the 
ceiling a creamy ivory kalsomine to give good gradation 
of color, or a flow of color one into another, instead of 
too sharp a contrast, as a white ceiling. The wood- 
work of windows and of mantel was painted a creamy 
ivory white which harmonized with the brown of the 
walls and floors. 

Miss James says it is more difficult to combine com- 
plementary colors, as such an arrangement makes 
both colors stand out, and must be used with care. 
You have learned this about color in your art class. 
A good combination is a large amount of one color, 
and a small amount of the contrasting color in a sub- 
ordinate relation. For simple interiors the color 
schemes having one predominate color are very pleasing. 
Another way would be to take one tone, as yellow, and 
plan for different intensities and values of the same hue. 
These are simply hints in relation to color combination, 
as an artist makes no laws for combining colors. Many 
women fail in planning their schemes for house decora- 
tion because they have no appreciation for color. This 
sense can be trained ; and girls must study about 
color as well as about other things, if they are to 
combine colors in a better way. This is another ex- 
pression of refinement, and every girl wishes to have 



THE LIVING ROOM 



55 



this appreciation of color harmony in home furnishings 
as well as in dress. Have you learned about this at 
your school, too ? 

Miss James told the Pleasant Valley girls to think 
first of the use of this room. It is a place for daily 




Fig. 33. — A cozy room with all its comforts. 

use. Parlors have long ago become unfashionable, 
and the comfortable living room has taken its place 
in the average home. No more rooms shut up to be 
opened only when an occasional visitor arrives, rooms 
that are mildewed and have a stuffy smell because of 
lack of sunshine and fresh air ! Mrs. Stark had such 
a room several years ago, but one day she suddenly 
decided to reorganize her way of managing her home. 
This was after Miss Travers, from State College, gave 
such a helpful talk on '^Common Sense in Home 
Management." 



56 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

What should a living room provide in its furnishing 
in order that this common meeting place of the family 
of the house may be a haven of cheer, a place of 
relaxation for all? Shall we picture it, before we decide 
about the articles of furnishing ? It should be a room 
well aired and easily cleansed because of its ffequent 
use, and should have a fireplace, with logs that really 
burn, as well as a stove to be put up for winter use, 
if there is no other method of heating. The cheer 
furnished by a fireplace is worth taking into account. 
What are some other furnishings we want ? Some 
comfortable chairs, by the windows or by the central 
table where a good light stands at night. A place 
for the books ; a couch near the light. A piano if 
one has one, or the victrola stand in one corner. 
Here it is that the family will assemble. An extra 
table with another lamp at one side of the room fur- 
nishes a place for one or two who wish to draw aside 
for reading. The living room at the Pleasant Valley 
cottage will be the common place of meeting for the 
girls and boys, — the room in which their entertain- 
ments will be given and in which hospitality will be 
practiced. Can you see this picture, and how they 
had to try in selecting its furnishings to have all con- 
tribute to this ideal of unity and simplicty, true com- 
fort, and an atmosphere of rest and cheer ? Do we 
keep these principles in mind in our own homes as we 
select their furnishings, and collect about us the things 
which are to help us in our living from day to day ^ 



THE LIVING ROOM 57 

Have you thought about this at your house ? So 
much of right Hving depends on it. Sometimes mem- 
bers of a home do not enjoy staying in it, because the 
home is not a happy place. Girls and mothers must 
learn how to make it so by creating the right atmos- 
phere. Have you tried ^ 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Plan the color scheme for a living room which you think you 
would enjoy. Choose samples of the colors you would Hke for the 
walls, floors, woodwork, and ceiling. 

2. Think of some good ways to study color. How does light 
affect the selection of colors for a room .? How does use aflPect choice 
of colors .? 

3. Think how you might improve your living room at home if 
you had the opportunity. 

4. How should the living room be used ? What is meant by 
having the right atmosphere in a home ^ 

Lesson 2 
the furniture for the living room 

What articles of furniture shall be placed in the living room in 
order to bring about the homey and comfortable eflPect we have 
discussed ^ 

Other principles to guide in furnishing. Miss James 
told the girls of Pleasant Valley that there are other 
principles besides unity and simplicity which should 
guide them in furnishing their house. Appropriate- 
ness is equally important. She said it is poor taste 
to select unusual or pretentious furnishings. Do you 



58 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

understand what that means ? It is this : the things we 
have about us should represent our ideals or our 
standards of living. For example, it is poor taste 
for a family with small income to try to copy the fur- 
nishing of the houses of the rich. A reception room 
with gilt furniture may be quite proper for a rich family, 
where there is much entertaining, but, in the home of a 
teacher or a business man or a farmer with a com- 
paratively small income, it is extremely poor taste, 
as is a cheap quality of anything which imitates what 
others with different standards of living can afford. 
Furnishings should be appropriate to one's station 
in life, and should be within one's income and rep- 
resent one's ideals and standards. It is better to 
have simple cheesecloth curtains and wicker furniture 
if one can afford them than to try to imitate cheaply, 
brocaded draperies and upholstered furniture which 
may be appropriate and beautiful in some homes. 

Miss James said that one can sometimes tell if things 
are appropriate by measuring how useful they are. 
'' Dust collectors," such as much bric-a-brac, are 
seldom useful or appropriate. Think of the time which 
is spent in dusting them ! Furniture with much carv- 
ing, twistings, and ornamentation also collects dust. 

The living room is a place for comfort ; therefore, 
one should expect to find chairs which suggest ease and 
rest. Stiff, uncomfortable chairs would be very in- 
appropriate in the same way that it is inappropriate, 
uninviting, and unhealthful to put a thick carpet and 



THE LIVING ROOM 59 

heavy draperies in a bedroom. The girls were so 
glad to have Miss James tell about these principles 
which help to determine how to judge if furnishings 
are in good taste in any kind of a home. Miss James 
said that the lines, the shape, and the color of articles 
must all be kept in mind. Don't you think the girls 
kept in mind unity, simplicity, and appropriateness as 
they planned for the living room of their cottage ? In 
the next lesson we shall learn what she told the Pleasant 
Valley girls about choosing furnishings good in these 
respects. 

The rugs for the living room. The floor covering 
was difficult to plan. They thought a bare floor 
would be easiest to keep clean as there will be much 
tramping in and out. Finally the girls decided to 
collect pieces of old Brussels and ingrain carpets and 
to send them away to be pulled to pieces and made 
into rugs. Six pounds of ingrain carpet will make 
one square yard of rug of any size and shape wished. 
They decided on the shapes or dimensions best suited 
to such a room, and tried to select old pieces of car- 
pets which had much brown and green, rather than 
reds. The expense was not great ; the carpets were 
wool, and made thick, warm, fluff rugs ; and the color 
was indefinite brown. ~Such carpet-rugs can be made 
from old scraps for comparatively little and will be 
appropriate in such a living room, when one cannot 
afford a new ingrain carpet. Oriental hand-woven 
rugs are very beautiful and last for many years, if one 



6o 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



can afford them. The girls had hoped to be able 
to have a large rug of ingrain carpet with woven 
border to nearly cover the wood floor, or to have a 
rug made of strips of plain carpet sewed together so 
that only the border of wood would show ; but they 
are quite pleased to have the rugs made from the pieces. 
Miss James says that the indefinite color, and lack of 




Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Fig. 34. — The old davenport frame is good in line. 

design is most restful. Carpets of gaudy colors with 
large patterns and flowers are not in good taste in a 
living room. 

The table and davenport. Mrs. Roberts' sister, who 
lives a few miles away, loaned an old mahogany card 
table. It is one of the kind which can be opened flat, 
or placed so that half the top rests against the wall. 
The girls decided to use it for a center table for the lamp. 



THE LIVING ROOM 



6i 




Courtesy of Wm. Leavens and Co. 

Fig. 35. — The wicker chair for 
the living room. 



The room is well lighted by 
windows during the day and 
so has plenty of means of ven- 
tilation. At night the lamp 
and fireplace furnish light and 
make it look very cosy too. 
Mrs. Roberts' sister loaned the 
frame of an old davenport, or 
sofa, which had been in her 
attic for years. She thinks it 
looks very well before the fire- 
place. It is large enough to 
hold a number of girls. The 
table was placed directly be- 
hind it so that the davenport also serves as a com- 
fortable place for read- 
ing. Old Mr. Clark in 
the village said he could 
re-upholster it. The girls 
decided to use a heavy 
unbleached muslin first 
to hold the springs, and 
for the outside cover, a 
dark material. It was 
something very simple 
which harmonized with 
the mahogany frame 
and was in keeping with 
the simple furnishing of 




Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Fig. 36. — The old desk, loaned for the 
living room. 



62 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



the room. The girls selected a piece from samples 
which Miss James had and decided on a brown figured 
denim. 

The living room chairs and other furniture. Mrs. 

Adams had two Windsor 
chairs which she contrib- 
uted. Notice the sim- 
plicity of the lines in the 
picture (Fig. 15) and 
how very comfortable 
such chairs look for the 
living room. The girls 
also decided to have 
three of the comfortable 
wicker chairs, — one of 
them with pockets at the 
side arm for newspapers. 
Mrs. English, who is at 
Pleasant Valley only 
during the summer, said 
she would send over her 
piano, so that the girls 
will have it for nine 
months of the year. 
Marjorie Allen's mother 

Courtesy oj Metropolitan Museum of Art. loaUCd tWO Small tablcS, 

Fig. 37. - Two of the old tables loaned ^^^ J^^e Andrew's aUUt 

for the living room. 

gave a very good-look- 
ing old desk. What fun to arrange all these pieces ! 



,.,.-:?' 




THE LIVING ROOM 



63 




Fig. 38. — A lamp 
usually helps to 
create a homey 
atmosphere. 



Agnes Groves found a pair of old brass andirons in her 

attic. How well they look shined until they are bright ! 

The soft woolly rug is before the fireplace 

and the davenport sofa, facing it. Back 

of the couch is the table with the lamp, 

with one Windsor chair and two of the 

wicker chairs grouped about it. The 

piano is at one end of the room, be- 
tween the two west windows, and, in 

the corner near, is one of the small 

tables with a lamp and a wicker chair 

at one side. How cozy it looks ! The 

girls have placed the desk on the opposite side of the 

room, and the other small table near with a Windsor 

chair. There is a good black- 
framed chair with high back and 
rush seat, which has been placed 
before the desk. 

The curtains and window fur- 
nishings. How dainty, simple, 
and appropriate the curtains are, 
of creamy cheesecloth ! The 
girls have made them like those 
in the bedroom, with a hem of 
one and one half inches down the 
middle and at the bottom, and 
with the tiny white guimpe edge 
for a finish. Two widths of 

cheesecloth were enough for each window. The curtains 




Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum 
of Art. 

Fig. 39. — The desk chair used 
in the living room has good lines. 



64 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



hang only to the sill. Miss James has some brackets and 
pots of ivy, and she has placed them halfway up the 
window frames at the east windows. How gracefully 
the ivy hangs ! The girls have decided to have window 
boxes at the west windows facing the road. Geraniums, 
ivy, and creeping smilax will look well all winter. 

The girls and boys to- 
gether made the boxes, 
and painted them to 
match the woodwork. 
They were placed on 
brackets so as to come 
even with the window 
sill. 

Picture moldings. 
The ceilings of the first- 
floor rooms are higher 
than those upstairs, and 
the kalsomine color of 
the ceiling has been car- 
ried down about eighteen 
inches. The picture molding is very simple. Miss 
James says that over-elaborate, highly colored mold- 
ings are not in good taste. The white creamy one 
harmonizes well in the living room and brings about 
unity. A gilt or green one would be a discordant note. 
Picture moldings must always be carefully placed, as 
they form a horizontal line about the room. Miss 
James talked a great deal about good lines ; I am sure 




Fig. 40. 



The window boxes are very 
attractive. 



THE LIVING ROOM 



6S 



another day you, too, will wish to hear what she had to 
say. Moldings can be placed at the top of the wall 
close to the ceiling or below the border. Sometimes 
when the ceiling color is carried down low, the picture 
molding may even be placed on a level with the tops 
of the windows or doors. 




Fig. 41. — Corot landscape. 

Pictures for the living room. Choosing pictures to 
live with is very important. Miss James says she would 
like, for the long space over the fireplace, the lovely 
photograph which is a copy of one of Corot's landscapes. 
He was a French artist who loved nature and copied the 



66 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



lovely hazy effects one sees so often. The picture is 
oblong in shape, and so is the space above the fireplace. 
Miss James says that in hanging pictures vertical wires 
with two hooks are preferable to the slanting wires 
where only one hook is used. Do you see the difference 
in the picture ^ Can you tell why the straight wires 
are more pleasing ? 

Miss James says the size and shape of the picture 
must be considered in relation to the space of the wall, 

also that too many pic- 
tures are not effective or 
artistic, and they collect 
dust. Gilt frames are 
generally for oil paintings 
or colored prints, and in 
a simple home oil paint- 
ings or copies are not in 
good taste. They belong 

Fig. 42. — Which way do you prefer to [^ ^hc homCS of the rfch 
have the picture wires hung? why? . . 11 • 

or m picture galleries. 
The Pleasant Valley girls decided to select the simple 
brown moldings for their pictures. There are only 
four pictures in the cottage living room. They are 
hung low so that all may see them, and hung also with 
respect to the light which will fall upon them. Miss 
James says it is a good rule to have pictures hung at 
a level, keeping in mind either the top or bottom of 
the pictures. The picture of Whistler's " Mother" is 
dignified and inspiring. The girls like it very much. 




THE LIVING ROOM 



67 



They have placed it over the desk at the west side of 
the room. There is also a copy of Milan Cathedral, a 
lovely large brown print which fills the space well on 
the south side of 
the room. On 
the east side is 
a Japanese print 
belonging to Miss 
James. It has 
such beautiful col- 
ors that the girls 
enjoy it very 
much. It brings 
in some of the col- 
ors which har- 
monize with the 
neutral tones of 
this room. Pic- 
tures should be 
placed so that 
they can be en- 
joyed, and the 
subjects chosen 
which will be 
pleasing and rest- 
ful to those using the room. Several small pictures 
look well grouped in one space. Small and medium- 
sized pictures can be hung on nails without showing the 
wires. Nails can be bought which will not mark the wall. 




Courtesy of Farmers Wife Journal. 

Fig. 43. — A cozy desk corner. The picture is hung 
without showing the wire. 




Drawn by Dept. of House Decoration, Teachers College, N. Y. C. 

Fig. 44, — This is the room in which the Pleasant Valley boys and girls will 

entertain their friends. 



THE LIVING ROOM 69 

Do you not think this is a cosy living room? There 
are a few things which the girls added. The brass 
candlesticks with yellow candles look well on the mantle 
shelf, and can be used. They are simple, and the 
brightness of the brass lends the spot of relief, or 
contrast as in complementary colors. There are two 
good green bowls for flowers, and on the table under 
the lamp is a simple green mat of tooled leather made 
by one of the girls. The magazines and books lend 
an inviting air. Would you like to plan such a cozy 
living room .? or help to occupy such a cozy house ? 
The girls of Pleasant Valley will enjoy it very much. 
(Fig. 44.) No house or room is too small or unattract- 
ive, but that something can be done to make it look 
more attractive, cozy, and homelike. Perhaps you 
have a room in your house which you can improve. 
Do not forget the principles which Miss James says we 
should keep in mind in planning. You may succeed 
so well that some day you may decide to study to be a 
house decorator. It is a good business if one has the 
talent and opportunity to study. There are many 
people who haven't the taste, time, or inclination to 
make their houses beautiful, and so employ others 
who know how. It is interesting work. There are 
schools where one can study for it. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Bring to school as many pictures as you can find, in old maga- 
zines or books, of suitable chairs for a living room. 

2. What kind of a rug would you like in a living room ? 



70 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

3. Tell how the principles of simplicity and appropriateness can 
be carried out in selecting articles of furniture for a living room. 

4. Write a description of the way you would like a living room 
in your own home to look. 

5. Draw a picture of the best way to attach a picture to a mold- 
ing. Tell why. How can you tell whether a picture is in a good 
relationship to the space it occupies .? 

6. What pictures would you like to choose for a living room ? 



Lesson 3 

the plans for the dining room 

The dining room is a very important room. Think of the many 
hours which one spends there each week. It should be a cheery 
comfortable place where one can entertain one's friends. It should 
be as sanitary as possible and easily cleansed, for it is here that one's 
food is served ; and we have learned that health and cleanliness are 
closely related. The girls of Pleasant Valley realized how many 
things there are to think about and asked Miss James to help them. 

The girls were quite sure that they understood about 
the principles of unity, simplicity, and appropriate- 
ness. Do you understand, too .? They realize that 
economy and hygiene as well as the aesthetic aspects 
should be kept in mind in order to furnish a home 
successfully. Beauty depends upon this harmony. 
The girls are learning that the articles one selects for 
a home should express the individuality of those using 
it, and should be honest, simple, and true. In choosing 
they asked, is the article of use ; does it please in form, 
in color, in decoration ; is it durable. All these 



THE DINING ROOM 71 

questions helped them to decide whether to discard 
the furnishing or to use it. 

Miss James says that decoration is very important. 
Many useful articles are made hideous by poor dec- 
oration. One should notice the decoration of articles 
when selecting them. Decoration should be simple 
and fit the space. You have studied how in your art 
class and in your design work. Some people forget 
to use their knowledge of design when 
they select household furnishings or 
clothing. 

" Good lines " are very important. 
This is another principle which has 
helped the girls. Articles of furniture 
which have good lines do not need as Fig. 45. — This dec- 

• A 1 I'll oration fits the 

much decoration. A house which has space for which k 
good lines and which is made in pro- ^^^ planned. 
portion will be pleasing because the effect will be 
harmonious. Sometimes if the construction of a 
home or of a room is poor, it is possible by decora- 
tion to correct some of the defects in line and to 
bring about more pleasing effects. Do you remember 
that in choosing the wall papers the question of lines 
was discussed .? What effect did the vertical lines have 
on the girls' bedroom .? Do you remember about 
hanging the pictures, and the lines made by the wires ^ 
Lines make spaces and designs. One must remember 
this in placing pictures, in laying rugs, in choosing 
draperies and other furnishings. Sharp, jerky lines 




72 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



which make ugly angles are not pleasing, but rhythmic 
lines which flow one within and into another, we like. 
In your art class have you learned the difference be- 
tween the sharp, jerky designs and those which are 




Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Fig. 46. — Some pieces of old furniture with "good lines." 



pleasing and fit the space for which they were planned ? 
See if you can remember about " gciod lines " and 
spaces as you choose new articles of furniture or study 
those which you have. 

The girls were very glad that the dining room also 



THE DINING ROOM 73 

had an open fireplace. There was a good stone hearth, 
but the wood floor was rather rough. The walls were 
somewhat cracked ; and the woodwork had been 
painted gray. The ceiling is the same height as the 
living room. This room has three windows forming a 
bow window, also two facing west and one east, with 
a door on the east side leading to the kitchen. 

The floor covering. Mrs. Roberts had a good rag 
carpet of hit-and-miss pattern, which nearly fitted. 
She told the girls she thought it would look well to 
use it as a rug and to have the floor painted around 
the edge of the room. The carpet can then be taken 
up easily and beaten, at least every two months. The 
boys can help with that. So the question of the sanita- 
tion of this room for eating was partially solved. The 
cracks of the walls were filled in, and the holes in the 
woodwork filled with putty. The girls studied the 
lighting of the room. There is fine south and west 
light, and so plenty of sunshine. They remembered 
what Miss James said about cool colors in a sunny 
room and decided that an old gray-blue would look 
well on the wall. They looked through the sample 
books and chose one of two tones of blue which gave 
the effect from a distance of a background of one 
tone but at the same time had a pleasing texture. It 
is an all-over design, and the lines of the pattern 
are good. Notice the design in Fig. 51. Do you like 
it } Can you think of the lovely blue with the second 
tone a little lighter .? This contrast of color makes 



74 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



the design you see. So color is a very important 
study as a part of design. 

The girls decided that a pumpkin-yellow paint for the 
floor border would be appropriate, and would harmonize 
well with the rag carpet. The effect of this almost 
pumpkin color as a border to the rag carpet is very 

pleasing, and in harmony with 
the blues of the wall. Can you 
tell why ? Some of the girls, 
Barbara, Agnes, and Marjorie, 
preferred dark brown like the 
living room, but not the ma- 
jority. Either would look well 
and be appropriate. The ceil- 
ing of creamy kalsomine will 
meet the wall of blue. The 
woodwork had once been painted 
gray so that two coats of white 
paint were required to make it 
white. The girls thought that, 
as the room is so well lighted 
anyway, they would plan to have the woodwork of 
ivory white like the living room. 

The bow window was arranged with plants and win- 
dow boxes at the center of the outer part of the window 
and with a window seat at each end of the bow nearest 
the room. 

Chairs for the dining room. The question of the 
right kind of dining-room chairs was solved for the 




Courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Fig. 47. — Seven old chairs 
like this have been hiding 
in the garret. 



THE DINING ROOM 



75 



Pleasant Valley girls. Jane Andrews' mother had a 
set to loan which had been in her garret. There are 
seven chairs. She put them away when she bought the 
new oak chairs and sideboard. Do you like them ? 
Notice in the picture what good lines this one has. If 
you were to sit in one, you would find it very com- 
fortable too. The backs are slightly decorated and 
the seats are rush. One can buy imitations of these 




Courtesy of Wm. Leavens and Co. 

Fig. 48. — Simple inexpensive, suitable modern dining room chairs for the 

country home. 

chairs which are not very expensive and are in good 
taste. Surely one should value them, if one has the 
real old ones which are good. 

The dining-room table. The table was loaned by 
Mrs. Stark. It was of little value as it was, but she 
thought possibly the girls might mend it, and paint it, if 
they wished. The boys helped. It was repaired ; the 
castors put on ; the hinges mended ; and the surface 
was well scraped. A brown stain was used as near the 



^6 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

color of the chair frames as possible, and then it was 
rubbed down with wax and oil. The effect was a 
lovely rich, dull finish. The top is a beautiful piece 
of wood, but in its former finish of shiny varnish, did 
not look its best. The girls think the table will look 
very pretty when set with the light brown linen doilies 
for breakfast and supper. The doilies look well and 
save laundering of tablecloths. Then one table- 
cloth used for dinner will .last a number of days. 

The fireplace is deep and roomy, and another pair 
of brass andirons has been loaned for it. There was 
a cozy chair added too, by the hearth. 

The curtains are of the creamy scrim like those in 
Miss James' room. The girls think they would like 
some simple overhangings at the sides of the windows. 
For this sunny room they chose a sunfast material of 
about the same sunshine color and value as the floor 
border. It is inexpensive and hangs in soft folds. 
The room is pretty without them too ; but Miss James 
says it is a matter of taste, and, if they wish to have 
them, the scheme will not be spoiled. The same cur- 
tains with two-inch hem are placed in the bow window. 
Tiny brass rings were sewed to the curtains, so that they 
slip easily on the plain brass rods. They were hung 
both sides of the window except where the window box 
and plants have been placed. 

The side table. The girls were unable to find a 
sideboard or side table which was suitable, with good 
lines and in keeping with the chairs and table. Mrs. 



THE DINING ROOM 



11 




Fig. 49. 



Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

- Mrs. Roberts' lovely Sheraton 
sideboard. 



Roberts has a beautiful 

mahogany sideboard of 

Sheraton design in her 

dining room. Do you Hke 

the picture ? (Fig. 49.) 

Mrs. Enghsh has one 

of the Colonial period. 

The girls could not afford 

even copies of these, and 

no one had an old one 

to lend. They studied 

the catalogues of several 

furniture houses and 

found it difficult to find 

simple pieces of good lines and proportions. The pic- 
ture (Fig. 50) shows the one which was finally chosen. 

It has good lines, is fin- 
ished with dull finish, and 
is inexpensive. The girls 
debated whether to get 
this one with the drawers, 
or to buy an unstained, 
narrow kitchen table and 
treat it with a coat of 
stain and rub of oil like 
the dining table. They 
finally decided to buy the 
one with the two drawers. 
Jane Andrews' aunt 




Fig. 50. 



Courtesy of Wm. Leavens and Co. 

Notice the simplicity of the 
sideboard. 



78 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

loaned three old pewter plates which have been pol- 
ished and placed on the mantle shelf, and on the side 
table an old tray of pewter rests against the wall. On 
the table at the center was a simple cover and a bowl 
of flowers. 

The girls have also learned something about up- 
holstering. Miss James asked Mr. Clark, who covered 
the davenport, to come again and show the girls how to 
measure for the window seats, and to prepare the covers. 
They used excelsior and bran for the stuffing, and 
covered them with blue sunfast material of the same 
color value as the walls. 

Do you think this is a comfortable dining room? 
Would you like to eat your meals there ? Is it a 
convenient room in which to serve meals ? The sun- 
shine and the plants make it bright and cheerful, and, 
on cool days before the stove is put up, the comfortable 
chair by the fire will be a pleasant place to sit. The 
tiny pantry connecting the dining room and kitchen 
will care for the storage of all the necessary dishes and 
linen. The side table has two drawers. One will 
hold the knives, forks, spoons, and carving set ; and 
the other the doilies and napkins in use, also the salt 
and pepper shakers. 

The pantry and saving steps. The table linen and 
dish towels are in one drawer in the pantry, and there 
are two cupboards with glass doors above the three 
drawers. One cupboard contains the glassware on 
the lower shelves nearest the dining room, and the 



wm MMUMmiiuiuMmMmm »ii! u mi mss^i^^swxt;mss ^ 




Drawn by Dept. of House Decoration, Teachers College, N. Y. C. 
Fig. 51. — The dining room planned by the girls of Pleasant Valley. 



8o 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Fig. 52. — This "silent butler" 
is a great helper. 



Upper shelves the best china given by Mrs. Roberts. 

The other cupboard holds the dishes used every day. 

The girls planned to locate 
everything as conveniently as 
possible so as to save steps. 

For convenience Mrs. Rob- 
erts has given the girls two 
trays for carrying things to and 
from the dining room. These, 
too, save steps. She has also 
given a tray on wheels, which 
is a great convenience. It is of 
dark-brown wood and has two 

trays, upper and lower. As it can be wheeled from 

kitchen to dining room, it saves the many steps neces- 
sary to carry dishes back and 

forth by hand. This tray is 

sometimes called a silent butler. 

The pantry also has a closet for 

brooms, and a table covered with 

oilcloth. It is all painted white 

and looks very sanitary and 

clean. The floor is covered with 

linoleum. There is a window 

in the pantry and the girls have 

planned for a window box, where 

the butter and cream can be kept 

conveniently in cool weather. 

Did you ever make a window box .? Here is a picture of 




Fig. 53. — The pantry window 
box saves steps. 



THE DINING ROOM 



8i 



one. They are quite convenient. The kitchen is just 
beyond this pantry ; and the girls have decided to plan 
theirs very much like Mrs. Allen's kitchen described 
in your textbook, Food and Health. It is well arranged, 




Fig. 54. — A simple cozy dining room. 



Courtesy of Wm. Leavens. 



with the dumbwaiter to the cellar, and the woodshed 
and porch adjoining the kitchen in a convenient loca- 
tion. 

Do you not think the dining room is a convenient 



82 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

cheery and attractive place in which the girls may en- 
tertain their guests ? 

Pictures for the dining room. Jane Andrews said 
she would like some pictures, hung like those in the 
living room with vertical wires from the ivory-white 
molding. What pictures to choose if one can select 
new ones is always an interesting problem. Family 
portraits are not suitable in a dining room. Large 
pictures of fruit and cake are not in good taste. There 
are so many lovely sepia prints, copies of etchings, 
Japanese prints, and photographs of splendid re- 
productions of pictures of famous artists, that there is 
no excuse for buying ugly chromos of fruit and flowers. 
Do you know what is meant by sepia print ? It is a 
lovely brown tone. We usually have too many pic- 
tures in our homes and too much bric-a-brac. A few 
pictures well chosen are preferable. The girls chose two 
for the dining room. They are sepia prints of lovely 
landscapes in brown frames, — one with a beautiful 
flowing river, and the other with mountain and lakes. 
Miss James thinks a Japanese print which has yellow 
tones in harmony with the blue wall will look well if 
preferred. It can be framed in a black molding. 

The small entrance hall with the stairway leading up- 
stairs was papered like the living room, and the paint 
of the woodwork and the floor of the same colors. 
This is good taste. Can you tell why ? This hall- 
way opens into the living room and is the way guests 
will be admitted. It connects the dining room and 



THE ENTRANCE HALL 



83 



living room. If they had opened one into the other, 
what would you think of the contrast of blue wall and 
yellow wall ? What have you learned about unity 
which might cause you to change the color scheme, if 
one room opened into the other and both were rather 




Fig. 55. — The hallway, too, is attractive. ^ 

small ? What is the effect of having two rooms, or 
hallway and room, decorated in the same way ? Do 
you like it ? There is a small table in the hallway 
and a straight black chair with rush seat. There 
is a lamp on the table. The curtains at the door are 



84 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



of the yellow sunfast like the dining room, and lend a 
spot of color. The rails of the stairway are painted 
white, and the stair is covered with a rag carpet like 
the dining room. This carpet extends into the little 
hallway above, as a runner. 




Courtesy of Whitcomb and Barroics. 
Fig. 56. — Ready for work — a corner of the kitchen at the Ellen H. Richards 



H 



ouse. 



The kitchen. Miss James says she must have a 
pretty kitchen as well as a convenient one in which to 
work. Figure ^6 shows one corner. Does it not look 
as if everything were ready for action .? It is certainly 
complete. The Pleasant Valley girls learned many 
things while furnishing it. 

The floor was in fair condition when they took 



THE KITCHEN 85 

possession of the house. Miss James had Mr. Clark 
smooth it off and paint and oil it. The girls would 
have preferred linoleum but that was too expensive. 
Mrs. Stark says she is saving for a kitchen linoleum, 
as it is so soft to the feet and keeps out dampness as 
well as being easy to keep clean. Mrs. Alden gave 
the girls two strips of good rag carpet, which are used 
along the side of the room near the windows. The 
walls were painted in this room because that is the 
very cleanest finish, and Miss James says the kitchen 
must be the cleanest place in the whole house, and 
nothing should be placed there which is not washable. 
A lovely buff color was chosen for the walls. 

The furnishings were very simple. Miss James 
helped the girls to arrange all the pieces so as to save 
steps. Have you thought about this at your home ? 
Mrs. Stark has made a real study of the miles she 
used to walk daily compared with her present plan. 
In Food and Health there is a lesson about saving 
steps. 

The stove, sink, and table were well placed for 
convenience and so as to save steps between dining 
room and pantry. The sink was one of the open kind. 
This is preferable, for then there is no temptation to 
collect things beneath. Miss James asked Mr. Roberts 
to have the sink changed and set a little higher, as 
nearly all the girls had to stoop, and their backs were 
not in proper position for work. Miss James prefers an 
iron sink to one with wood triming, and Mr. Roberts 



86 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

was glad to change it when he put water in the bathroom 
and kitchen. 

The table, too, was comfortable in height ; and Miss 
James bought a high stool. She says she discovered 
long ago that a stool in the kitchen is very valuable, 
for it saves much strength. Miss James says she uses 
it while washing dishes or ironing and often when pre- 
paring vegetables, unless she takes her work outdoors 
to the seat under the apple trees. 

The girls planned a cozy corner too for the kitchen, 
very much like Mrs. Allen's kitchen which you studied 
about in Food and Health. 

The trip to Mr. Alden's store for the kitchen fur- 
nishings was a great event. Mrs. English sent Miss 
James a check for a kitchen cabinet. You learned in 
Food and Health how useful Mrs. Allen found her 
cabinet to be. Then Miss James helped the girls to 
choose a few well-selected cooking utensils. 

The problems of housekeeping are half solved at the 
Ellen H. Richards House because of the running water 
in the kitchen. What a blessing ! Of course they had 
Mr. Roberts to thank, for he installed the bathroom 
and planned for the water in the kitchen at the same 
time. In Food and Health you have studied about 
how some of the Pleasant Valley people planned to 
bring running water into their kitchens. 

The girls of Pleasant Valley learned many things in 
furnishing these rooms, but one thing surprised them. 
It has been so difficult to buy good things which are 



THE KITCHEN , 87 

simple in line and design. When girls learn more 
about good furnishings and demand good things of 
simple decoration and design, then manufacturers 
will make them. You can see how much depends on 
one's knowledge of how to buy furniture, clothing, 
textiles, foods. Women must learn this spending 
business, as men have learned the earning business. 
Do you think you understand what it means to be a 
wise spender ? 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. What ideas have you about the cleanliness of a dining room ^ 
Why is it important ? 

2. What do you mean by the principle of '^good lines" in fur- 
nishing ? 

3. Bring to school pictures of chairs with "good lines," suitable 
for a dining room. Mount the best ones brought by the class on a 
cardboard mount. Why are they the best ? 

4. Do you like an open fireplace ? Why ? 

5. What devices can you suggest for saving steps between dining 
room and kitchen ? 

6. What do you think about using one end of the kitchen for din- 
ing room during busy seasons such as haying time ? 

Lesson 4 

A NAME is chosen FOR THE COTTAGE AND A PARTY GIVEN 

After the home was completely furnished, Miss James thought it 
would be wise to name it and to have a housewarming. Do you 
ever plan for parties ? Do you not think it is fun to entertain your 
friends ? 



88 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

The girls vote for a name for the cottage. The 

Pleasant Valley girls have been thinking of a good 
name for their cottage. What do you suppose it is 
to be ? Miss James said they might vote. Miss 
James wrote all the names suggested on the blackboard. 
There were five : 

1. The Girls' Club House. 

2. The Home House. 

3. The Ellen H. Richards House. 

4. The School Annex. 

5. The Model House. 

The ballots were dropped into a box. Miss James 
appointed tellers to take charge of the election. They 
went into Miss James' little office and counted. All 
of the girls had voted to call it " The Ellen H. Richards 
House " ! You know they have studied, as you prob- 
ably have, about Mrs. Richards and how much she 
did to have homemaking introduced as a school 
study. Are you not glad they chose her name for their 
house .? Perhaps you will choose it for yours, if you 
furnish a house near your school. 

A party on Mrs. Richards' birthday. Miss James 
suggested that the girls have their party or house- 
warming on Mrs. Richards' birthday, December 3d. 
Isn't that a good way to celebrate that day .? Mrs. 
Richards would have been so pleased to know that 
girls are learning to furnish and run a house. Mrs. 
Richards always believed in hospitality, and enjoyed 



THE HOUSEWARMING 



89 



entertaining her friends at her home near Boston. Do 
you enjoy entertaining at your home ? Simple enter- 
tainments give as much pleasure as elaborate ones 
and do not cost so much. Have you ever asked your 
teacher to have supper at your house and planned to 
surprise her by cooking some of the dishes you learned 
at school .? Have you asked the 
boys and girls to come some 
Saturday evening and get ac- 
quainted with your mother and 
father and family ? Perhaps 
mother has let you bake some 
little cakes, and you have made 
some orangeade or she has let 
you all go into the kitchen for a 
taffy pull or to make some fudge. 
Such parties do not cost much, 
and one can have a very good 
time. Miss James says if one 
is planning to live in the right 
way, one can always plan to 
spend something for good times 
too. Can you think of other parties you might have 
which will cost very little ^ 

The girls planned for the housewarming. Of course, 
everybody in Pleasant Valley was most anxious to see 
The Ellen H. Richards House, and to know why it is 
to be called by that name. Miss James divided the 
boys and girls into committees to be responsible for 




Fig. 57. ■ — Mrs. Richards, who 
helped many girls to become 
interested in better home 
making. 



90 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

certain parts of the work, although everybody expected 
to help. There was one committee of five to attend to 
writing the cards of invitation. This is what they put 
on the cards after talking it over with Miss James : 

The Pupils of the Pleasant Valley School 

request the pleasure of your company 

at the opening of 

The Ellen H. Richards House 

on the birthday anniversary of Mrs. Richards 

Thursday afternoon, December 3d 

from 3 to 6 o'clock. 

R.S.V.P. 

Do you know what R.S.V.P. means .^ The girls 
made a list of all those in town to be invited and the 
boys helped them to write the invitations. Miss 
James also appointed a committee to attend to decora- 
tions. They brought some lovely greens from the 
woods, some holly and evergreens ; and there were 
some beautiful golden chrysanthemums placed on the 
living-room and dining-room tables. This committee 
attended also to lighting the fires and lamps and the 
pretty candles in brass candlesticks, which were used 
to decorate the mantles. They also looked upstairs 
to see that the bedrooms were in order and some 
flowers and lights placed there. 

Miss James also appointed a refreshment committee. 



THE HOUSEWARMING 91 

The girls decided to ha-ve coffee with cream and sugar, 
and some of the httle marguerite cakes. This is the 
recipe which they used : 

Marguerites 

Ingredients Method of preparing 

2 eggs Beat eggs ; add all other ingre- 

I cup brown sugar dients. Put in individual but- 

^ cup flour tered cake tins. Fill only one 

I teaspoonful baking powder third full. Place nut on top of 

I cup pecan or other nuts, cut each cake. Bake 15-25 minutes 

small. in slow oven. 

They made the marguerites the afternoon before. 
Ten of the girls helped with the cake-making while 
the others went to the woods for greens. 

Five of the girls and five boys were appointed to 
serve the guests. 

Then there was a committee on entertainment. 
They decided to give a sketch of Mrs. Richards' life 
and work. This story is most interestingly written 
in a book called The Life of Ellen H. Richards 
by Caroline Hunt. They sent to the American Journal 
of Home Economics, Baltimore, Md., for Mrs. Rich- 
ards' picture and had it framed to hang in the hallway — 
a greeting to all who enter. Miss James told the guests 
about meeting Mrs. Richards at a Home Economics 
Conference at Lake Placid when those conferences 
were held there yearly from 1 896-1907. The Journal 
of Home Economics will send suggestions for celebrat- 



92 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



ing Mrs. Richards' birthday. Perhaps you may choose 
this or some other form of entertainment when you 
celebrate. Some of the boys and girls sang, and all 

together had a very 
happy time. 

Miss James had also 
appointed a committee 
on hospitality. One of 
the boys on this com- 
mittee told the guests at 
the door where to put 
their wraps upstairs. 
Miss James and five of 
the girls stood in the liv- 
ing room and received 
their friends, and their 
duties were to see that 
their friends were made 
acquainted, if any were 
strangers, and that all 
had a happy time. Of 
course, everybody wished 
to see all the details of the 
house furnishing, and to know the reasons for so 
planning. All were most enthusiastic and voted the 
house a great success. Mr. Roberts especially felt 
fully repaid for loaning the house to Miss James and 
the girls, and the members of the school board were 
glad they had voted some money for furnishings. All 




Courtesy of Miss K. BraUhwaite. 

Fig. 58. — The boys built this cozy spot 
back of the Ellen H. Richards House. 
The girls sew and read here, and some- 
times entertain their friends at tea. 



THE HOUSEWARMING 93 

felt the furnishings were very attractive and dainty. 
The girls were very happy and experienced the joy 
which comes from the endeavor to give pleasure to 
others in simple entertainment. This is true hospi- 
tality, the keystone to happiness in any home, Mrs. 
Richards used to say. This hospitality should be a 
possibility in every true home, and parents should 
plan to bring to their homes as guests their children's 
friends as well as their own. It is always a pleasure 
when one does it simply and it is not an extra tax on 
mother's or sister's time or strength. The girls plan 
with Miss James to make the Ellen H. Richards House 
of Pleasant Valley a true home center where simple 
hospitality, welcome to friends and guests, shall be 
part of the home life. They decide to place this motto 
in their hallway and to live up to it. It was written 
by Virtor Hugo : 

A house is built of bricks and stones, 

Of sills and posts and piers, 
But a home is built of loving deeds, 

That stand a thousand years. 

Would you not like to help with such an entertain- 
ment at your school? Your teacher may be able to 
persuade some one in your town who has an idle house 
to plan for an Ellen H. Richards House. How will 
you decorate and furnish yours ? If you do not have 
a home, you can have an Ellen H. Richards Day and 
celebrate at your schoolhouse. 



94 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

EXERCISES 

1. Plan with your teacher for a party at school on Mrs. Richards' 
birthday. What refreshments will you have ? 

2. Write to the American Journal of Home Economics, Baltimore, 
Md., for suggestions for celebration. 

3. Tell how you like to entertain your friends. 

4. Write an invitation for the party. 

REVIEW PROBLEMS 

I. Draw a simple floor plan for the first floor of a house, arranging 
the rooms in the most convenient way. 

II. Write a brief description of your idea of a homey living room. 

III. If you could rearrange or refurnish your home dining room, 
how would you change it ^ 




CHAPTER III 

HOW SHALL THE ELLEN H. RICHARDS HOUSE AND 
OUR OWN HOUSES BE KEPT CLEAN AND IN 
GOOD ORDER? 

" Where does all the dirt come from ? " said Barbara 
Oakes, as the girls' club was making ready one day for 
an afternoon gathering at the Ellen H. Richards House. 
'' Even when we leave the rooms looking as tidy as 
can be, there is always something to be freshened up or 
dusted when we return ! " 

At that moment a cloud of dust floated in at the 
open window. '' Oh, stop ! '' called Barbara. '' Why 
didn't you wet the leaves in the path a little, before you 
began to sweep them up ? And, see, you are not hold- 
ing the broom the right way either." 

" Wouldn't you better come out and tell me how ? " 
was Frank Allen's good-natured reply. He had vol- 
unteered to brush off the piazza, and his strong muscles 
were most surely " making the dust fly." 

95 



96 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 
Lesson i 



DUST AND DIRT 



P^^WP'^WP*'^ 



■\ 



■J- 



r- 



«M»^ 



What are some of the best ways for keeping our houses clean ? 

Where do dirt and dust come from? In this case 
from outside the house. But we cannot keep the house 
free from dirt unless the outdoors is clean too. Watch 
the street and sidewalk, or the road ; for as long as 

careless people continue 
to spit on the street and 
walks, or even to sneeze, 
and to throw fruit skins 
and cores to decay and 
be ground to powder in 
time, not only shall we 
have dust in the house, 
but dust of a dangerous 
kind. 

Pleasant Valley is a 
township where thrifty 
farms lie side by side over many square miles, and where 
the post office, churches, and stores make a center known 
as the village, the school and the Ellen H. Richards 
House standing where the village street begins to change 
pleasantly to the country road. The townspeople have 
put oil upon their street and roads for several years, 
but are learning that calcium chloride makes a harder, 
better surface, that it lasts longer, and that it lacks 
the disagreeable odor of the heavy oil used for laying 



KUN AWAY FROM SNEEZE!^ 



Courtesy of American Society for Improvement 
of Conditions of Poor. 

Fig. 59. — Watch your sneeze or spread 
disease. 



DUST AND DIRT 



97 



the dust. The cost depends upon the road — which 
must be hard and in good condition. The number of 
times it is put on depends upon the traffic on the road. 
This granulated calcium chloride is a clean white chemi- 
cal salt that does not injure rubber tires. It does not 




Cuurtisy uf .S( met Solray Co , synicust, X . Y. 

Fig. 6o. — What is the condition of the roads in your home town ? 

discolor the road. The tests have shown that it de- 
stroys most of the bacteria present in the dust. It 
also kills weeds. 

How the young people can help the town. The 
Boy Scouts of Pleasant Valley made a number of 
posters which were displayed at the post office and in 
several other places where people could easily see 



98 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Fig. 6i. — The can 
which was quite 
the fashion at 
Pleasant Valley. 



them. Miss James asked the boys to 
paint a galvanized-iron can to stand on 
the walk in front of the Ellen H. 
Richards House. (Fig. 6i.) The color 
was a dark shade of green that har- 
monized with the grass and shrubs 
and trees, and on it white letters 
were painted, — ^' Use Me for Fruit 
Skins and Papers." Cans of this de- 
scription became quite the fashion and 
were placed along the village street. 
At regular intervals the boys emptied 

and burned the contents where it was perfectly safe 

to have a fire. 

Here is a sketch (Fig. 62) of another can standing 

in the space behind the Ellen H. 

Richards House, made of wire netting, 

for papers, old cloths, and other things 

that can be burned. In a village one 

should be careful to put nothing in 

that will have a disagreeable odor. 

One of these behind the farmhouse 

is a great convenience, and when it 

becomes full, all that is necessary is to 

touch a match to the contents and 

let them burn out. 

You see that we have spoken of 

dust from the road; but there are ^^^i^ff^ '"^ "''^J 

' tacie tor papers and 

Other sources of what we call dirt. things to be bufned. 




DUST AND DIRT 



99 



What is dirt and when is it dangerous? Someone 
said, " Dirt is matter in the wrong place." This def- 
inition is not far from correct, ahhough we do not 
always use the word precisely. When little sister Alice 
has cooky crumbs around her mouth, the '' matter " 
is certainly out of place, but it is not dangerous dirt. 
If you could look at samples of dust and dirt through 
the microscope, you would be puzzled to describe what 
you are seeing, — lint from gar- _^ 

ments, coal dust and wood ashes, 
stone or rock ground to powder, 
bits of decayed leaves, particles 
of skin and hair from human 
beings and animals. None of 
these are in themselves hurtful, 
except that, if we breathe dusty 
air, the head and throat may 
become irritated, and then we 
may be a prey to our invisible 
enemies, the germs of disease. 
63) you see what is sometimes called a dust garden. A 
plate of soft gelatin has been left uncovered in a dusty 
spot, then covered and set away, and each single 
spore of mold and each bacterium has flourished and 
increased. Miss James is always careful to remind her 
classes that many bacteria are helpful, some of them 
at least not hurtful, but that one cannot tell when the 
germs of diphtheria, tuberculosis, grip, and other diseases 
are present, and so the fight against dirt can never end. 




Fig. 63 . — Have you ever grown 
a dust garden ? 

In the picture (Fig. 



loo THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Finger marks on paint and windows, grease spots on 
clothing, belong in the class of untidy things, but they 
are not dangerous, unless some one is suffering from a 
skin disease. 

We must add to the sources of danger our own bodies 
when they are not in good condition. 

Other forms of waste. Old tin cans, old iron scraps, 
old shoes, are unsightly, and if thrown down with waste 
papers may become danger spots. The cans will hold 
water where mosquitoes multiply, and in any mass of 
waste matter there is always the chance for the un- 
welcome bacteria, or '^ germs." Think of health and 
beauty too, and find some way of disposing of this 
kind of refuse. The iron can be sold, perhaps. Mr. 
Groves of Pleasant Valley has a way of setting out a 
few fruit trees each year. He digs a deep hole long 
before, and into that hole are put old cans and iron 
scraps to be filled in before the tree is set, the hole 
having a board cover until that time. 

What more can we do in our campaign against dirt? 
We find a strong ally in Nature, for sunshine, air, water, 
earth, and fire are our good friends. Harmful bac- 
teria cannot live in sunlight and dry air, and water is 
a great cleanser. Fire will rid us of Harmful waste 
matter, the intense heat of an oven or boiling water 
will destroy bacteria, and some materials buried in the 
earth not only become harmless, but will be useful to 
us as fertilizer. To these natural purifiers we add 
substances like soap, sand or gritty soap, washing 



DUST AND DIRT 



lOI 



powders, soda, lye, ammonia, kerosene, some of which 
are destructive of harmful bacteria, and remove grease ; 
and stronger chemicals are useful during illness and 
afterward. 

Then we ourselves scrub and shake and brush and rub, 
and nowadays we have machines that are even better 




Fig. 64. — Not a ray of sunshine can get in. 
f 

than the old fashioned brushes and brooms. Does it 
seem quite right to take a dusty carpet into one's back 
yard and beat out the dirt to blow into other people's 
windows as well as into our own ? Where a house has 
wide space about it, it is quite a different matter, al- 
though even then we should watch the way of the 
wind, and not do our beating and shaking out of doors 
when the breeze will return the dust to the house. 



I02 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Sun and air in the house. It is a mistake to keep 
rooms dark and windows closed, thinking in this way 
that we save the color of our best carpet and hangings, 
and that dust is kept out. Such a closed room soon 
becomes musty, and no furniture is so precious as the 
health of the members of the family. Keep blinds open 




Fig. 65. — An old-fashioned farmhouse with plenty of shade. 

and air unused rooms very often. Screens to keep out 
flies are necessary, and in climates where there is 
much dust in the summer it is well to use cheesecloth 
over the screen. Germs of disease do not flourish readily 
where sunshine and fresh air are constant visitors. 

We must study the exterior of our house and its 
surroundings in order to insure sunlight. The picture 



KEEPING THE HOUSE CLEAN 103 

(Fig. 65) shows an old-fashioned house where there is 
plenty of shade to enjoy, but where the space between 
the trees and shrubs and the house is wide, allowing 
the sun to rest upon the roof and sides of the house, 
even in summer. This has been true during the life 
history of the dwelling, which is now nearly 200 
years old. With a damp cellar and heavy shade 
about the house, there is more danger of illness and 
chronic disorders than in a dry and sunny house. 
When you build a house, it is better to let the 
corners of the house stand north, south, east, and 
west. Can you see why this will give the house more 
sunshine ^ 

What tools do we need? A cleaning equipment is 
just as important in the house as a set of good tools in 
a carpenter's shop, or as a box of colors and brushes 
to the artist. Have you ever thought of cleaning as 
artistic work I Nothing can be beautiful unless it is 
clean, and you are adding to the beauty in your home 
as well as to its healthfulness in all the sweeping and 
dusting and washing that are so necessary. 

The picture (Fig. 66) shows a closet in the Ellen H. 
Richards House. We need a supply of stiff brushes 
and soft brushes, with long handles and short handles, 
and plenty of cleaning cloths and soft paper. Hang 
two bags or a bag with pockets on the inside of the 
broom-closet door, and use one for soft papers that 
come as wrapping and for pieces of cloth. The dusters 
should be of hemmed cheesecloth or outing flannel, and, 



I04 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Courtesy of J. B. Lyon Co. 



Fig. 66. — This closet in the Ellen H. Richards House is well supplied with the 

necessary tools for cleaning. 



although the stitches do not need to be fine, they 
should be firm. The dusting cloths should never be 
put away uncleansed. It takes but a few minutes to 



KEEPING THE HOUSE CLEAN 



105 



wash out a duster and dry it thoroughly before folding 
it away, ready for action again. 

Where does the power come from to use the tools? 
" Is cleaning good exercise ? " was a question that one 
of the mothers asked Miss Travers of the State College 
at a meeting of the Women's Club. " That all de- 




FiG. 67. — Are you growing round-shouldered because you are not working 
properly ? These are good positions for sweeping. 

pends," said Miss Travers, *' upon how you do it. The 
position of the back and limbs in using a broom, in 
washing dishes, in scrubbing, will decide the question.'' 
Miss Travers then drew a few sketches on the board 
and held a broom in different ways herself to make 
her meaning clear. If you study the pictures (Fig. 67) 
carefully and take the positions one after the other, you 



io6 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

will realize the importance of knowing how to hold a 
broom. 

Why, however, do women use so much of their own 
muscular and nervous strength when machinery will 
help them just as it does men on the farm ? Every 
machine has a way of making one motion of the mus- 
cles accomplish much more work than the muscle alone 
can do. You all know that this is true of the sewing 
machine, and the egg beater ; and, if you have used a 
bread mixer or a meat chopper, you appreciate how 
much help they give. The same is true of washing 
machines and of some of the new kinds of cleaning 
apparatus, for the carpet sweeper of a good make saves 
much energy. This is true of the still newer vacuum 
cleaners and scrubbing machines as well. We shall 
study these in the lessons that follow. 

Water power and electricity for housework. If you 
have the good fortune to live in a town or country 
place where you have a high water pressure, this can 
be used for household purposes just as well as for grind- 
ing in the mill. More fortunate still is the town where 
electricity is developed — perhaps from some water- 
fall. It may be that some one who is reading this 
book owns a farm where there is sufficient power in 
running water to turn a dynamo, and thus supply 
electricity for farm and house use. Where the elec- 
tricity is furnished by a corporation, for instance 
where there is a trolley system, it is rather expensive ; 
but think what a wonderful saving of human energy 



KEEPING THE HOUSE CLEAN 



107 




Courtesy of Domestic Utilities Comvany, Newark, N. J. 
Fig. 68. — The electric dishwasher is a great time and energy saver. 

when the electricity runs the cream separator, the churn, 
the washing apparatus, the dish washer, the sewing 
machine. We may not all use electric power at present, 
but it is something to study and plan for in the future. 



io8 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

No one need fear that in a large household and on the 
farm the members of the family will suffer from lack 
of exercise where electricity is used. How much better 
for the mother and daughters to do the laundering 
rapidly and well with an electric washer, wringer, and 
irons, leaving time for garden work and healthful out- 
of-door exercise ! There is no virtue in doing work in 
the hardest way possible, if it can be made easier. 
Where the women of the family* are earning pin money, 
labor-saving machinery is a good way for spending a 
part of this income. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Ask your teacher to help you to grow a dust garden. Have 
you a microscope at your school ? If so, examine the garden. 

2. What are you doing in your town about refuse .? Are you 
making plans to collect such things .? Can you do as the Boy Scouts 
of Pleasant Valley did ? 

3. How do you plan at your house to have plenty of sunshine.? 
Are you afraid of spoiling the carpet ? 

4. What power do you use for running your household machines .? 

Lesson 2 

taking care of the bedroom 

How can a girl help to keep her room tidy and clean ? 

We need to plan for the daily care of each room, and 
when this is carefully done, the weekly cleaning is much 
easier. Remember that while you may think the room 
more attractive with many of your pretty ornaments 



CARING FOR THE BEDROOM 109 

about, these all add to the quantity of work to be done, 
both in every-day and at the other cleaning times. Can 
you not plan to have only a few things on your bureau 
top and change them from time to time ? 

What shall we do in the morning? After your 
toilet is finished, look at your bureau to see that every- 
thing is tidy. This is the way the girls at the Ellen 
H. Richards House did. It would be well to take a 
look into that upper bureau drawer to see if each kind 
of thing is neatly arranged by itself. See that the gar- 
ments that you have worn at night are hung upon a 
chair where the fresh air can reach them by the open 
window. Then, you are ready to attend to the bed, 
which you probably threw partly open when you first 
arose. Never omit the airing of your bedclothes, 
although, in very damp weather, it is best not to hang 
them by the wide open window, unless you can dry them 
off later. For a partial airing put a chair at the foot 
of the bed with the seat toward the bed, and throw the 
bedclothes over it. Several times in the week it is well 
to take everything from the bed and hang on chairs by 
the window, or perhaps on a screen. This is very 
necessary in winter when we use much bed-clothing. 
We must remember, even when we have good bathing 
habits, that during the night much waste matter passes 
from our bodies through the skin, and the odor in the 
bedroom becomes very disagreeable without this fresh- 
ening of the sheets, blankets, and covers. After a 
spell of wet weather, it is always a good plan to hang 



no 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



the blankets and covers in the sunshine out of doors. 
Remember always to have a cover over the mattress 
underneath the first sheet. We must also be particular 
to care for the mattress. It should be turned daily 
and sometimes taken entirely from the bed and sunned 
by the window. This is a good time to brush it and 
also to wipe off the bedstead and springs. If you should 

be so unfortunate as to 
have troublesome in- 
sects brought into the 
house, the bedstead 
should be taken apart 
and carried out of doors 
and treated with kero- 
sene. Fortunately this 
does not often happen 
in the country. If you 
chance to be very much 
troubled by the insects 
under the paper or in 
the woodwork, do not be alarmed. Removing all the 
paper, going over all the furniture, and varnishing the 
floors and woodwork will rid the house of these pests. 

Making the bed. People sometimes are so anxious 
to have the room look orderly that they do not allow 
for the proper airing of the bed linen. When it is thor- 
oughly fresh, then is the time to put it back neatly 
upon the mattress. The under sheet should be drawn 
tight at head and foot^ on both sides, and the corners 




Fig. 69. — Bed making at the Ellen H. 
Richards House has become an art. 
At the contest Jane Andrews made the 
best looking bed. Notice how she folds 
the corner. 



CARING FOR THE BEDROOM in 

neatly folded in. Put on one article at a time, tucking 
them in separately, and turn the upper sheet down 
over the blankets and other covers. The pillows 
should be shaken and beaten a little and neatly placed. 
Fresh linen should be put on weekly. The custom of 
using the upper sheet for the under sheet is quite com- 
mon, but when people are ill both sheets must be 
renewed frequently. Nothing is more unattractive in 
a bedroom than a poorly-made bed, and nothing is 
more uncomfortable for a weary person. 

Bathing arrangements in the bedroom. If there is 
a washstand, with slops to be emptied, this is a most 
important feature of the daily work. There should be 
no odor to any of the toilet articles. They should be 
emptied and washed with clean soap suds, rinsed, dried, 
and aired. Do not forget to wash out the water 
pitcher. 

A few other little things. Look out for scraps, burnt 
matches, and hair. See that these are all in the scrap 
basket, and this scrap basket emptied daily. The 
amount of dusting and brushing to be done depends 
upon circumstances. Sometimes a very little dusting 
will suffice. When you finally leave the room, it is a 
good plan to set your closet door ajar for airing and to 
leave the window open at least a little way. 

One point about which we should be very careful is 
the care of our shoes in the bedroom. Remember that 
they are one of the coverings of our body that come in 
direct contact with the ground constantly. We should 



112 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

begin to think about our shoes before we enter the house 
and should wipe off everything that we can. Dirty shoes 
should not be set away in the bedroom closet. They 
should be wiped off, sometimes with a damp cloth and 
dried by the window, and it is much better to have the 
shoe bag outside of the closet if possible. Dusty out- 
door garments should not be hung in a bedroom closet. 
Your rubbers of course you leave down stairs, possibly 
in some tidy way on the porch, or inside the house in 
some entry. It would not be easy for us to follow the 
Oriental custom of leaving all our shoes outside, but 
we can hardly be too careful. 

The weekly cleaning. Of course, this a girl will do 
herself because this is one of the ways in which she can 
lighten the work for her mother. Take a look at your 
bureau drawers. It may not be necessary every week 
to remove the articles, but dust collects much sooner 
than we think. The bureau drawers should all have 
clean paper in the bottom. This will last for several 
months. After the drawers are in order, look at your 
closet to see if everything is hanging straight, if any- 
thing needs brushing, or airing outside. Wipe the closejt 
floor with a soft cloth. Occasionally it is a good idea 
to take everything out of the closet and wash the walls 
and floor, although this must be done in very dry, 
sunny weather. You are ready now for the more seri- 
ous work. Notice the picture (Fig. 70) of Mollie Stark 
ready for action. She has protected her hair from the 
dust and is covered with a large apron, as you see. 



CARING FOR THE BEDROOM 



113 



First Mollie takes to the room everything that she will 
need in the way of tools, — a soft dustcloth, a small 
brush and dustpan, a long-handled broom with a clean 
cloth tied over it. She also has a basin of water with a 
little ammonia and a cake of soap. First she dusts off 
all the small articles on her bureau 
top and puts them into the bureau 
drawer. The larger articles on the 
table, a few books and so on, she 
dusts and places on the bed with 
a cloth below and another cloth 
to cover. Then she wipes down 
the ceiling and walls with a cov- 
ered broom and dusts off the pic- 
tures. Her rugs she rolls up and 
carries down stairs and puts on 
the grass quite a distance from 
the house and then beats them 
with a bamboo beater. At the 
same time she carries the cushions 
in her chair out of doors and leaves 
them where they will sun and air. 
The floor of her room has her attention next. The 
bureau is on casters and moves out easily, and, as 
there is no carpet on the floor, Mollie, using very 
gentle motions, gathers up the dust with cloth over 
the broom. If it is a dry day, she washes up the 
floor after this, but if it is damp she rubs the floor 
off with an oiled cloth. If Mollie lived in the city, 




Fig. 70 



Mollie Stark 
ready for action. How 
capable she looks. 



114 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

she would wash her windows every week. Her 
country windows do not need it so often as that. 
She does, however, wipe off the window sill both inside 
and out. The furniture is rubbed off with a soft 
cloth, and at least once a month Mollie rubs her fur- 
niture with some oily material. She finds what is 
called "lemon oil" extremely good for this purpose. 
The looking glass and the pictures have their faces 
wiped. Sometimes at a dusty time Mollie goes over 
the room twice, leaving a little time for the dust to 
settle in between. Finger marks have to be wiped from 
the paint. Then all the things are put back again, and 
indeed it is a bright and shiny bedroom when the work 
is finished. 

A room that is cared for in this way does not need a 
very strenuous extra cleaning at any time of year. 
Marjorie Allen's scheme of work is a little different 
from this because Mrs. Allen has a vacuum cleaner, 
and Marjorie uses it on her rug. She also applies the 
vacuum cleaner to her cushions and to her mattress on 
cleaning day. 

Cleaning the bathroom. Some one has said that 
the bathroom is the test of good housekeeping. Where 
several members of the family use the bathroom and 
the basin, each one must be trained to leave the tub 
or the basin spotlessly clean. In these days our tub 
is of enamel ; and how selfish and unkind it is and 
how disagreeable the tub looks when it is not thoroughly 
washed out with soap and water, rinsed, and dried. 



CLEANING THE BATHROOM 



115 



The shelf on which small toilet articles stand should 
have no spot upon it, and soap dishes, mugs, and brushes 
must be left in perfect order. It is bad manners to 
leave a cake of soap dirty or even wet. Miss James 
said one day that many people who are otherwise dainty 
and who seemed well bred are most careless in these 
respects. 

Be careful to hang up towels and wash cloths and 
never leave them when they are not fresh. Clean 
towels are an absolute 
necessity. In a large 
family the rolls of paper 
are sanitary, convenient, 
and saving of labor. All 
parts of the toilet should 
be wiped off every day 
and the basin thoroughly 
scrubbed out when it 
shows the least sign of discoloring, sometimes oftener 
than once a week. Wiping the floor daily and scrub- 
bing weekly is none too much. The bathroom cannot 
only be odorless, but it may have as fresh and cleanly 
a smell as any room in the house. If there is the least 
odor of unpleasantness, something is wrong. Once a 
week put ammonia and water down all the basins, 
and, if the water is hard, a strong solution of soda may 
be desirable. In case of illness, whatever is put down 
the toilet should be disinfected with carbolic acid, or 
something recommended by a doctor before this is done. 




Courtesy of Extension Department. 
Ohio State University. 



Fig. 71. — A convenient roll of paper. 



ii6 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

What shall we do when there is no bathroom? 

Some place should be provided for comfortable bathing, 
if it is nothing more than a room in the shed with some 
metal tub for the bath. For warm weather one family 
in Pleasant Valley uses a tent, and as there is running 
water the cold water comes from the hose. Hot water 
is taken out from the kitchen, and water from the 
tubs is used for flower beds. In winter, if the bathroom 
is in the shed, an oil stove can be used for the heater. 
The same rules of cleanliness apply to any place of 
this kind and to the toilet. There is no excuse for the 
accumulation of any kind of dirt anywhere upon our 
premises. 

Soap and water will clean the tub after each bath, 
the soap to be followed by a thorough rinsing and 
wiping. If there are spots, do not use any rough soap 
upon the enamel, but try first a little kerosene and 
ammonia. Remember to clean both the bathtub and 
basin outside and underneath. Be especially careful 
to wash out thoroughly all cloths and brushes used in 
the bathroom and to dry them in the sun and air. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Plan a bed-making contest at your school, like the girls of 
Pleasant Valley had at the Ellen H. Richards House. Your teacher 
will make a score card. 

2. Write loo words describing how you care for your bedroom 
each day. 

3. Why is the care of the bathroom very important ? 



CLEANING THE LIVING ROOM 117 

Lesson 3 
cleaning the living room and dining room 

What are the best methods for keeping clean these rooms that 
we must use constantly ? 

Cleaning lessons at the Ellen H. Richards House. 

These lessons were something that the Pleasant Valley 
girls looked forward to as giving them a thoroughly 
good time. Not only did they enjoy the appearance 
of the rooms after the work was done but they found 
cleaning itself really very enjoyable. Miss James 
tried the plan of using the score card, and the girls all 
assured her that it seemed to help them do the work 
well, for it made them all try to work in the very best 
possible way. The work was divided among the dif- 
ferent girls, and the groups were not so large that they 
interfered with each other. 

The living room in the Ellen H. Richards House is 
heated by a coal stove in winter as well as by an open 
fire, and of course this always, in spite of great care, 
makes quite a little dust in the room. Miss James' 
stove is of the kind that has the coal put in at the top, 
the ashes removed from below, and, as this is done at 
regular times of the day, the fire will keep several weeks. 
A number of people in Pleasant Valley are introducing 
other methods of heating the house in winter in place 
of stoves, because with a furnace or a hot-water 
system the heat is even throughout the house and 
the labor is really less. The Starks have a hot-water 



ii8 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



heating system and, although the picture is not a plan 
of their house, it shows the way in which the heat is 
carried over the house. Mr. Wright, the proprietor of 
a hardware store in Pleasant Valley, who attends to 
the plumbing all over the township, recommends hot- 
water apparatus, especially for putting into old houses, 




Courtesy of E. S. Keene, Mechanics of the Household. 
Fig. 72. — The low pressure hot-water heating system applied to a small dwelling. 

and into a new house as well. The first cost is greater, 
but the expense of running is not larger than that of 
the hot-air furnace, and, after the system is put into 
operation, it is much more satisfactory than the com- 
mon furnace. It gives even, steady, and moderate 
heat which varies very little. In any system, whether 
stove, furnace, or hot-water, we must provide for 



CLEANING THE LIVING ROOM 119 

the admission of fresh air and the passing out of 
bad air. 

Fresh air in the house. Miss James explained that 
letting in fresh air and removing the bad is a part of 
the process of keeping our houses clean. When we 
have stoves this can be done, especially if we make an 
opening into the chimney for the letting out of the bad 
air. Boards in the windows with cheesecloth over the 
opening give a simple way of supplying fresh air. 
Air the room out frequently every day and sleep 
with the bedroom window open. Some people need to 
be protected from the draught or from the breeze 
coming directly from the window ; and, if you are not 
used to it, change your habit by degrees. This is the 
way to keep one's self vigorous, and, as you know, it 
is a cure for the first stages of tuberculosis. Some 
people in Pleasant Valley are putting on sleeping 
porches, and one member of a family who showed 
tuberculosis symptoms slept in a tent. Do not let 
yourself be chilled, but wear warm night clothing, and 
when out of doors sleep between wool blankets. 

Cleaning the living-room stove. This was Mollie's 
task on cleaning day. Like all the other girls MoUie 
was equipped with a cap and clean apron, and she 
slipped on a pair of old gloves. A hod of fresh coal 
was put in at the top. Then Mollie gently used the 
shaker ; and, when she was sure that the ashes had 
settled in the pan, she took a newspaper, pulled out the 
pan, covered it quickly with the paper and carried it 



I20 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

out of doors. When the ashes were cool, she put them 
into the ash bin. On top of the stove there was stand- 
ing a pretty brass bowl which was kept filled with 
water to keep the air of the room from becoming too dry. 
Mollie took the brass bowl and other metal articles to 
the kitchen, and gave them a thorough cleaning. 

How did Mollie clean the metals? For the cleaning 
she placed on the table on a piece of paper, some cot- 
tonseed oil, rotten stone, a piece of old flannel, a piece 
of soft dry cotton cloth, a saucer and a soft brush, and 
a bottle of oxalic acid. The rotten stone, as its name 
shows, is a powdered stone. The oxalic acid is a poison 
and should be marked so, and it also affects the skin. 
These substances are much better to use on brass and 
copper than any of the strong cleaners that come in tin 
cans, and are also cheaper. Mollie first washed all the 
metals in clean soap suds and rubbed off the spots with 
oxalic acid. The oxalic acid should be very weak, — 
a tablespoonful to a quart of water. Mollie then mixed 
up the oil and rotten stone in the saucer and rubbed 
each article with it. It needs a strong muscle to do 
this well. The brush was used for the crevices and 
corners. Mollie rubbed off the paste with another 
cloth; then washed each article thoroughly in hot 
soap suds, rinsed, and dried them. The final polish 
was given with another soft cloth. Some people use 
chamois skin for the final polish, but an old kid glove 
will do very well. All the cloths were washed out 
except one with which the paste was put on, and that 



CLEANING THE LIVING ROOM 121 

was burned in the stove. If you use a chamois skin, 
use tepid water and soap. Hot water stiffens the 
chamois. 

Cleaning the pictures, walls, and ceiling. At the same 
time Barbara Cakes was wiping off the glass of the pic- 
tures with a soft cloth wrung out from ammonia and 
water, and drying them with another cloth. She then 
dusted off the frame, gently dusted the back of the pic- 
ture and the wall behind it, and covered each picture 
with cheesecloth. Then the ceiling and walls were dusted 
down with a piece of cheesecloth fastened about the 
string mop. There was so little dust discovered that 
it was not necessary to dust the mop before using it 
on the floor. Barbara then dusted off all the wood- 
work with the soft cloth. For a special cleaning Miss 
James said that paint could be wiped off with borax in 
warm water, and, where there is no paint, kerosene is 
useful for this purpose. But little kerosene is neces- 
sary, and this should be rubbed off very thoroughly. 
It is a good idea to give it a polishing an hour or 
so afterward. Use small pieces of cloth for the polish- 
ing and burn them, and protect the hands with old 
gloves. 

Taking care of the ornaments and furniture. Mar- 
jorie Allen took down the small ornaments, dusted 
them, and took them out into the kitchen. She had a 
brush and soft cloth for the furniture. The chairs were 
taken out on the piazza, cushions beaten, and the 
chairs brushed and wiped off. This of course does not 



122 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

need to be done always when the room is cleaned, and 
it is impossible in bad weather ; but once in a while 
the girls like to make the cleaning as thorough as 
possible. 

The piano and other polished surfaces. Elizabeth 
Groves asked if she might be allowed to give the 
piano a thoroughgoing treatment. She had heard Miss 
James describe the method. They all felt responsible 
because the piano was a loan, and they wanted it to be 
found in perfect order. The polish of the piano was 
very fine, and Miss James' method was one that she 
learned from a piano factory where they renovate old 
pianos. The apparatus consists of a basin of tepid 
water, a sponge, and a chamois. Wash the piano with 
a sponge, wet and partly wrung out. Wash very 
thoroughly, rubbing hard, taking not more than two 
square feet at a time, or even less. Wet the chamois 
in the tepid water and wring it as dry as possible, and 
then polish the spot that has just been washed with 
the sponge. The curious thing about this treatment 
is that the chamois must be used wet. The result is 
very satisfactory, but it takes so long a time, that 
Elizabeth found that she was glad to change off^ with 
one of the other girls and rest her muscles. If the piano 
is treated this way perhaps twice a year and has a good 
daily dusting, it will need no other polishing. If the 
surface is scratched, it is a good idea to use a little oil 
afterward. The ''lemon oil " already mentioned is very 
good for this purpose. 



CLEANING THE LIVING ROOM 



123 



Using the vacuum cleaner. All the girls were es- 
pecially interested in this, and they wanted to take 
turns in practicing with it. You notice, do you not, 
that everything in the room has been dusted and the 
floor wiped up with the string mop, the cleaning of the 
rugs by the vacuum cleaner being left to the last ? 
Why is the vacuum cleaner a good method for up- 
holstered sofas, chairs, rugs, portieres, 
and mattresses .? The girls did not 
find this difficult to answer, because a 
cleaner draws into a bag all the dust 
and dirt on the surface and even within 
the article. This bag is then removed 
and the contents emptied gently into 
the stove, where they are burned, and 
anything that is left is of course re- 
moved with the ashes. In summer, 
when there is no fire in the stove, the 
dust from the cleaner bag can be 
gently emptied into a paper bag, which 
is put into the receptacle of burnable things awaiting 
the fire out of doors. Elizabeth Groves told the story 
of her aunt, an old-fashioned and very good housekeeper 
who felt perfectly sure that there was no dirt in her 
rooms to be taken out by a cleaner of this kind. She 
had an old-fashioned parlor or best room kept closed 
for company. When Mr. Wright called one day to 
ask if he could sell her a vacuum cleaner, she said, 
** I will buy one if you can find any dirt." He took the 




Fig. 73. — Have you 
a vacuum cleaner ? 



124 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

cleaner into her best parlor and went over the carpet 
and sofa and chairs. Then he took the bag to her; 
opened it, and it was almost full of fine black dirt. 
She immediately ordered the new cleaner. There are 
several kinds of vacuum cleaners on the market at 
many different prices ; and as in the case of all other 
machines, it does not pay to buy the cheapest. Most 
of us need to have the kind that runs by hand, although, 
of course, if we have electricity in the house, we save 
our own energy by using this power. The girls used 
the cleaner first on the right side of the rug, and then 
turned it over and used it on the under side. Any 
dust left on the floor was wiped up with a soft cloth. 
It is not so easy to take dust from a polished surface with 
a vacuum cleaner, but it will remove dust from cracks 
in the floor, and it is the best possible way of taking 
dust around the buttons of the upholstered sofa and the 
tuffs on a mattress. There are some people who still 
prefer the old-fashioned broom, but Miss James said 
to the Women's Club that, while sometimes it seems as 
if one uses as much muscle with the cleaner as with a 
broom, the dust is really removed safely and does not 
fly about in the air. She asked them to notice the 
difference in the odor of a room that has just been 
swept and one where the vacuum is used. Have you 
learned to detect the smell of dust ? The windows 
were left until the last. 

Cleaning the windows and shades. Dolly Adams 
was assigned to this task. Dolly said, " Why, I never 



CLEANING THE LIVING ROOM 



125 



thought of cleaning the shades except once a year." 
Dolly took the convenient step ladder to the window, 
rolled up the shade, took it down, took it out on the 
piazza, unrolled it, and dusted it. She then stood each 
one near its own window. She had ready a basin of 
ammonia and water, a cloth of flannelette or outing 
cloth, a soft brush, and a towel that was not linty, 
and some soft paper. If the water had been hard, 
she would have added a 
few drops of kerosene. 
Dolly dusted off the 
woodwork with the flan- 
nelette cloth slightly 
dampened. She then 
washed the glass, dried it 
with the towel, and pol- 
ished it with the paper. 
She told Miss James that 
sometimes her mother, 
instead of using water, 
made a paste of whiting and water ; and another 
girl said that her mother used a soap '' that has 
not scratched yet." Miss James said that the diffi- 
culty with both of these is that while they leave 
the glass very shiny, there is a white dust left to 
blow around which must be wiped up very carefully. 
There is running water and a hose at the Ellen H. 
Richards House, so the windows were hosed off outside. 
When this cannot be done, the outside of the windows 




Courtesy of Extension Devartment, 
Ohio State University. 

Fig. 74. — A convenient ladder chair like 
the one Dolly used for cleaning. 



126 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

have to be washed. Some people take out the sashes 
for this purpose. 

Cleaning the lamps. The hghting at the Ellen H. 
Richards House is done by lamp and candle. Miss 
James has a student lamp with a green shade for her 
study in the evening, and always she is careful, as she 
has told the girls, to have the light over her left shoul- 
der, for both reading and writing. The lamp in the 
living room is of a simple design with a wicker shade 
lined with a soft yellow. Whether one uses lamps 
or electricity, the shading of the direct light is very 
important to the hygiene of our eyes. If your living 
room is lighted by a kerosene lamp hung in the 
center, have some arrangement below the light made 
of soft paper to keep the glare from the eyes. A light 
at the side of the room or standing on the table is much 
better for all purposes than a high light. For people 
who can. use electricity there are now most beautiful 
arrangements where there seems to be hanging in the 
room a bowl of light, the shade being below rather 
than above. The soft shade makes the light even all 
over the room without any over-bright spot to try the 
eyes. Train yourself to be careful of the eyes in this 
respect. Miss James added this when she was talking 
about the shading of the light, '* Never read lying down, 
because the eyes are put out of focus and the muscles 
are strained." Avoid a red shade to a lamp except for 
brief times, as, for instance, at some entertainment when 
you want a bright spot of color. A soft yellow is 



CLEANING THE LIVING ROOM 127 

much better than red ; and there are ocuHsts who 
prescribe yellowish glasses for people who need extra 
protection from strong light. Phoebe Carey had col- 
lected all the lamps in the house and put them on the 
table in the kitchen where she had spread out paper to 
protect the white table oilcloth. She had ready a 
basin of water with ammonia, a soft cloth, paper, and 
the kerosene in a convenient can, holding not more 
than two quarts. Phoebe removed all the lamp chim- 
neys and washed them one at a time in a basin at the 
sink, wiping and polishing each one with soft paper. 
She filled each lamp, using a small funnel for the pur- 
pose. She then rubbed off the burnt portion of the 
wicks with paper. Miss James had told her not to 
cut the wick. Then every part of the lamp that could 
be reached was washed off with soap and water, and 
dried. Miss James told her that one of the lamps had 
begun to have a little odor, so that burner was taken out, 
the wick removed and put into the stove to burn, and 
the burner put into an old saucepan with a solution of 
washing soda and water to boil until it was perfectly 
clean. Miss James said that she would let it stay all 
day and put the wick in toward night. There is never 
any need of an odor from a kerosene lamp. Some people 
believe in filling the lamp daily, but of course this de- 
pends upon the size of the oil tank and the length of 
time that the lamp is used. 

Finishing off the room. Everything was then put 
in place, and the class agreed with Miss James that the 



128 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

room really was a work of art. Miss James had kept 
the score, announced it to the girls, and said that she 
really felt that they had all scored loo. They then 
opened the piano for a song. Elizabeth exclaimed, 
" Oh ! I forgot the piano keys,'' hurried to bring 
a damp soft cloth, and wiped them off carefully. 
Then they sang together one of their favorite club 
songs. 

What shall we say about the dining room? There 
is no difference to be noted in the cleaning of the 
dining and living rooms except that with the former we 
have to care for the silver. The class of course did not 
have time to clean the dining room and living room in 
one day, but Alice Carey was very proud to do her piece 
of work, which was polishing up the silver in the dining 
room itself. Usually it would be done in the kitchen, 
but you can see that there were several busy workers 
at the table and sink. Miss James supplied her with 
whiting, and ammonia, and several pieces of soft 
cloth ; also a soft brush for one or two pieces of fancy 
silver. Miss James said that she had found some black 
specks on her silver, which perhaps came from a bottle 
of sulphur that she had in the kitchen. A tiny speck 
of sulphur about, if it lies upon the silver, will make a 
black spot, and of course the sulphur in eggs is a 
cause of discoloration. The ammonia is to take off 
the black specks, and should never be used on silver 
except for this purpose. Miss James also said that it is 
much better to use the old-fashioned whiting or some 



CLEANING THE DINING ROOM 129 

substance recommended by a dealer in silverware, 
rather than the patent polishes which agents are so 
anxious to sell. We want to remove as little as possible 
of the dull surface, and strong chemicals take more 
than is necessary and thus wear the silver thin. Alice 
moistened the whiting with water and rubbed it over 
all the silver pieces. When it was dried on, she rubbed 
off all she could with another clean soft cloth. The 
brush then took the whiting out of the cracks. Finally 
the silver was all washed off in clear, hot soap suds 
made from one of the white soaps, rinsed in boiling 
water, and wiped with a clean cloth before putting 
away. Alice looked about to see if any of the dust from 
the whiting was left in the dining room. Such cleaning 
as this is not necessary more than once a month where 
the silver is well cared for daily. Buy plain patterns 
and have just as little silverware as possible, and it 
will not be difficult to take care of it. 

A few more points about cleaning. The important 
thing, as you must see, is to really remove dust and 
dirt, and not simply to change it from one place to 
another by flourishing about with feather dusters and 
brooms. An important thing in all our housekeeping 
and furnishing is to make work easy by having just as 
few things as possible. Why should we spend money 
for more furnishings than we need, and thus make 
labor heavy and our homes less beautiful and usable ^ 
Another important point is order in work. One secret 
of success in housekeeping is to have order in place. 



I30 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

and order in time. Long ago in ancient Greece the 
historian Xenophon reported Socrates as saying : 

"How excellent a thing a regular arrangement of articles is, and 
how easy it is to find, in a house, a place such as is suitable to put 
everything. But how beautiful an appearance it has, too, when 
shoes, for instance, of whatever kind they are, are arranged in order; 
how beautiful it is to see garments, of whatever kind, deposited in 
their several places ; how beautiful it is to see bedclothes, and brazen 
vessels, and table furniture, so arranged ; and (what, rhost of all, a 
person might laugh at, not indeed a grave person, but a jester) pots 
have a graceful appearance when they are placed in regular order." 

And we can say that not only is order beautiful, but 
a saving of strength and time. Do you ever find 
everybody at home a little disturbed and uncomfort- 
able because some one person cannot find some one 
thing ? Once when Mrs. Allen thought that her 
family was becoming a little too careless about leaving 
things around, she had a place that she called the 
'' pound/' and when she found any article out of place 
she put it in that box. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Tell how you would plan to clean your living room at home; 
your dining room, 

2. Talk over with your teacher the way in which your house is 
heated. How does the heating affect the cleanliness of the house .? 

3. Do you plan for fresh air at your house ? How ^ 

4. What systematic method of caring for lamps do you use at 
your home ? Talk this over with your teacher. 



CLEANING THE CELLAR 131 

Lesson 4 

cleaning the cellar, kitchen, and pantry 

Why is it necessary that the cellar, kitchen, and pantry be as clean 
as the hall and living room ? How shall these parts of the house 
be kept clean and healthful ? 

Why is it important to have a good cellar and to keep 
it clean? Have you ever watched a plant slowly wilt 
and die for no reason that you could discover until you 
dug into the ground and found something the matter 
with the roots ? Something like this is often true of 
our houses. We attend to everything above the ground 
level, yet there is a dampness in the house and an 
odor of moldiness and almost of decay. The question 
to ask then is '' What is the matter with the cellar ? " 

Making the cellar strong and dry. Like many old- 
fashioned farmhouses, the Starks' solid, well-built 
house stood on a strong foundation of large stones with 
an earth floor to the cellar. In spite of Mrs. Stark's 
thorough cleaning and airing, there was quite often a 
musty smell in the living room, and during a damp spell 
in summer, mold would sometimes grow on articles 
left in a closet on the ground floor, in spite of the fact 
that the house stands high and the earth is sandy and 
weH drained. Another fact that Mrs. Stark noticed 
was that even on a warm day in summer the floors in 
the lower story were too cool if the windows were left 
closed. Mrs. Stark and her husband began to study 
the question. Mrs. Stark brought up the question in 



132 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

the Women's Club and sent for advice to the State 
College. The Starks decided to use some of the money 
laid by for new furniture, in remodeling the cellar. 
The ground was dug away outside, all around the house, 
and a few inches below the lower stones of the cellar 
wall. Spaces between the larger stones were filled in 
with small stones and Portland cement, and a covering 
two inches thick of this cement put over the whole 
foundation. Windows were built in on all sides, and 
screened so that nothing could enter when the sashes 
were opened. Inside the cellar the floor was leveled 
and two or three inches of finely broken stone placed 
over the earth, and over this two inches of Portland 
cement were spread. The walls of the old cellar within 
were rough, and in order to make it easier to keep this 
surface clean, the cement was used to line the inside 
of the cellar wall. They were surprised to find how 
much difference this made in the dryness of the house 
and in its warmth during the winter. There is no 
doubt that rheumatism and other troubles come from 
the damp and the coolness of the old-time cellar. 

Mr. Stark has underground storage for his vegetables 
out of doors ; but they partitioned off a place in the 
cellar for fruits and vegetables. (See Food and Health.) 
The cellar was then all ready for the heater, which they 
planned to put in the next year. 

" But we have no cellar under our house," some 
one says ; *' what ought we to do .? " This question 
was asked one day when Miss Travers was talking to 



CLEANING THE CELLAR 



133 




the Mothers' Club. Miss Travers said that in Maine 
she had seen a house standing on sohd granite, which 
is the foundation on which the State of Maine is 
built, and as the house was exposed to wind from the 
ocean it had to be anchored by chains. Miss Travers 
thought there could be no objection to a foundation 
of this kind ; but usually where 
there is no cellar something should 
be done to avoid dampness from 
the earth. A layer of sand under 
the house is a help if nothing else 
can be done. Miss Travers ad- 
vised planning for a cellar as soon 
as possible, for the construction 
can go on after the house is built. 
Some arrangement should be made 
for ventilation, and if the house is 
damp the earth should be dug 
away under it, and cement put 
in if possible. In such a case we 
must take pains not to have any 
water run under the house. In fact, every house needs an 
eaves trough and water pipes to carry off the rain water 
from the roof, even when there is no cistern, but of course 
it is poor economy to waste rain water in this way. 

Some one then asked Miss Travers' opinion of bank- 
ing up the earth around the house to keep it warm in 
winter. Miss Travers thought this should not be done 
unless there was a way to air the cellar once in a while, 




Courtesy of Whitcomb and Barrows, 
The Healthful Farm House. 

Fig. 75. — For ventilating 
the vegetable room. 



134 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



and, if the house and cellar are well built, this is not 
necessary. If this is done, the earth should be re- 
moved just as soon as possible in the spring. She spoke 
of seeing one old house where the earth had been piled 
up in this way year after year until it reached above the 
clapboards, and they had begun to decay. Indeed 
the sills of the house were rotting, and the house had 
begun to settle on that side. Cellar damp injures the 
wood in the house, which of course is less important 

than human beings, but 
is a bad thing any time. 
Where a cellar has space 
around the window, as 
showi) in the picture, 
there must be a hole in 
the cement outside so 
that water can run out 
after a rain. 

How shall we clean the cellar? A cellar made like 
the Starks' is very easy to keep clean. With screens 
in the windows very little dust enters. The walls can 
be wiped down with a cloth tied over the broom, and 
the floor brushed up in the same way. A whitewash- 
ing all over once a year is very necessary. No matter 
how much we protect the cellar and how clean we keep 
it, very little air, light, and sunshine enter ; and the 
whitewashing is a safeguard. 

Cleaning the kitchen. The kitchen is a room from 
which all uncleanness must be banished. Everything in 




^^/f 



Fig. 76. 



Courtesy of Whitcomb and Barrows, 
The Healthful House. 

This window gives more light 
and air in the cellar. 



CLEANING THE KITCHEN 



135 



jm^- 



S 



1 



-^ 



the kitchen, — ceihng, walls, floors, and furnishing, should 
be washable. (See Food and Health, Lessons 16, 21.) 
It is so easy to track dirt into the kitchen that a mat, 
and even a shoe scraper, should be placed outside for 
cleaning off the shoes. Marjorie Allen printed a notice 
' and hung it on the outer screen door of the Ellen H. 
Richards House, " Please wipe your feet." 

Daily cleaning. For a lesson on dish washing, see 
again Food and Health. Be careful always of the 
sink. It must be clean 
and dried after every 
dish washing, and not 
only the sink itself, but 
also the pipes below the 
sink. Put down daily 
a little soft soap, am- 
monia, or soda, and use 
just as much clear water 
as you can spare. In a 
long drought, even with 
running water in the 
house, we must econo- 
mize, and for this reason 
the rain-water system 




Courtesy of Extension Department, 
Ohio State University. 



Fig. J"]. — A very convenient wood box. 

needed in addition to 



IS neeaea m 
everything else. Polishing the faucets is always a 
finishing touch, and a daily rubbing will keep them 
bright. Be sure that no grease or crumb is left on 
the kitchen table ; and there must be frequent brush- 
ings of the floor, especially when wood is the fuel. A 



136 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

convenient wood box near the stove helps very much in 
this way, but use the wood box only for wood. Miss 
James told a story of someone whom she tried to 
train in keeping the kitchen clean, and she found one 
day, among the bits of wood in the box, half of a cooky, 
greasy papers, egg shells, and an old tin can ; and this 
was in spite of the fact that a basket was supplied for 
waste paper and a garbage can for food scraps, and 
another receptacle for empty cans. All of these should 
be part of the furnishing of every kitchen, standing per- 
haps in the porch or outside. Always rinse out any tin 
can and dry it off before it is put into its proper place, 
otherwise you will have a disagreeable odor and a 
place that flies love. 

In brushing up, never raise any dust. If you use 
a common broom, moisten it. We cannot have dirt 
flying about the kitchen to fall upon food or cooking 
utensils. 

Cleaning the stove. When Miss James suggested 
one day to the Mothers' Club the washing off of the 
stove and the oven, one of the women who knew her 
well laughed and said very frankly that she never 
heard of anything so foolish and that it was one new- 
fangled idea that she should not take up. Miss 
James replied that she learned this from her own 
grandmother and not in the department of domestic 
science at her college ; then everybody else laughed. 
Of course a shiny black stove is most attractive, but 
have you ever thought that, as the polish burns off the 



CLEANING THE KITCHEN 137 

stove, the particles are really passing off into the room ; 
and stove blacking is made of mineral substances. Do 
you also know that if you wash a stove, rub it with oil, 
and never let it rust, that it really presents a very neat 
appearance. This of course applies to gas, kerosene, 
and any other stove. Kerosene will remove grease 
from a stove and keep the nickel finish bright. 

Occasional cleaning in the kitchen. If there are 
grease spots from the sputtering of something on the 
stove, this should be wiped off just after it has hap- 
pened ; but the painted ceiling and wall must be washed 
off with a piece of outing cloth wrung out from warm 
water or softened with a small quantity of ammonia 
or kerosene. There are soft long-handled brushes made 
for washing off the ceiling and upper parts of the wall, 
and one of these should be added to the broom closet 
as soon as possible. The kitchen paint is washed in 
the same way. It is not necessary to scrub the floor 
with a hand brush and on one's knees in these days, or 
to have a dirty mop. One can use a scrubbing brush 
with a long handle. For wiping up, use in place of a 
mop a piece of rather heavy soft cloth and push it 
about with a tool of this description. The handle is 
long, and on the cross bar is a piece of rubber which 
holds the cloth down so that you can move it about from 
place to place. The cloth can be boiled out and dried 
in the sunshine when the process is over. Once in 
a while Miss James has the floor of her kitchen in the 
Ellen H. Richards House oiled. The mats in the kitchen 



138 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

are taken outdoors in sunny dry weather, and the 
curtains at the closets are very easy to wash and iron. 
The cushions in the comfortable chair are removable 
because they are fastened with the snaps that we use 
on some of our garments, and they too are sometimes 
put into the tub. When a kitchen is treated in this 
fashion, there is almost no dirt in it to be taken out 
because it has no opportunity to gather. 

Miss James says that many people prefer the mop to 
this way of washing up the floor with a separate cloth. 
You should then have a mop wringer fastened to the 
side of the pail. Miss James showed the girls how 
to mop her kitchen floor ; and with a wringer they 
found it was not hard work. Mollie Stark had brushed 
up the dust and cleared the floor of articles of furniture. 
She then filled the pail about three fourths full of hot 
water and added half a cup of soap solution. This was 
made by shaving off some soap and dissolving it in a 
little hot water on the stove. It was kept in a jar and 
small pieces of soap that were left were dropped in it 
from time to time. Mollie dipped the mop into the 
pail, held it to drain, and rubbed a few square feet of 
the floor. Then she rinsed the mop, wrung it, and dried 
off the wet spot. She began at one corner of the room 
and worked toward the outer door, rinsed the mop 
several times, and changed the water. She felt very 
proud when Miss James praised the color of the mop, 
when she finally washed and rinsed it in fresh soap- 
suds with a little washing powder added and then 



CLEANING THE KITCHEN 139 

took It out into the sunshine to stand with its head up. 
When you learn to use a loose cloth, however, it is much 
easier than the mopping. 

Watch the garbage pail. Miss James has a white 
enamel pail with cover in the kitchen that holds the 
food scraps. This is emptied into a larger covered 
pail outside, and one of the neighbors takes the scraps 
away for feeding some of his animals. Both of these 
pails are thoroughly cleansed with washing powder 
and boiling water every time the food scraps are 
emptied. Miss James has two because it is easier not to 
run out a number of times, in the preparing and clean- 
ing up of each meal, to the larger pail outside. When 
anything sticks to the sides of the garbage pail, it must 
be scrubbed off. There is no reason for having an 
odorous and unpleasant pail, and, when the habit is 
once formed, one does the cleaning without making it 
a difficult task. You see by degrees we are outgrowing 
the idea that there needs to be an unclean and un- 
pleasant spot anywhere. 

Do you ever empty garbage in the pigpen? Even 
the pigpen in these days is as clean as the dwelling for 
any other animal. Pigs like to root in the earth and 
their snouts are intended for that, but the poor things 
have no greater liking for filth than have other animals. 
It is true that pigs are willing to eat a scrappy food 
mixture and their table manners are not the most fas- 
tidious ; but, if you have seen a drove of pigs with a 
run in a wide fieldj you know that they are just as 



140 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



clean as the cows. Do not empty your garbage in 
a small, damp, filthy pigpen. Why should not a girl 



zooac£^ ^trzrp 




iaoac^^3 



Courtesy of Whiicomb and Barrows, The Healthful Farm House. 
Fig. 78.— The way Miss James planned to have the linoleum fit the pantry floor. 



be a member 




Courtesy of Mrs. 
Claudia Murphy. 

Fig. 79. — Study 

this drawing of 

an ice box. Can 

you answer the 

questions ? 

I. The chilled air in 
the upper chamber falls. 
Why? 2. The air below 
rises to take its place. 
Why? 



of the pig club as well as a boy ? ^ (See 

Fig. 183.) 

Cleaning the pantry. The method 
with the pantry is very much like 
that in the kitchen. Miss James' 
pantry has linoleum on the floor, 
which curves up from the floor and 
is fastened on by a wooden molding. 
If a crumb or drop of liquid falls on 
the floor, it is wiped up at once and 
the linoleum is washed weekly. The 
ceiling, walls, and shelves are covered 
with an enamel paint, the spot wiped 

^ Send to the Department of Agriculture in Wash- 
ington for the pamphlets on raising hogs. 



CLEANING THE PANTRY 



141 



where anything is spilled, and all the shelves washed 
off weekly. 

Cleaning the refrigerator or ice box. This must be 
inspected daily, and once a week everything should be 
taken out. This is true 
of the ice chamber, for 
seldom may we have per- 
fectly clean ice. Wash 
this chamber out with 
ammonia and water, and 
run a wire down into the 
overflow pipe, pouring 
down either strong soap 
or ammonia water, or a 
solution of washing 
powder, or soda. If the 
food box has enameled 
walls, nothing more is 
needed than a washing 
off in the same way, tak- 
ing the racks out for a 
washing in the dishpan 
at the sink. If the walls are of zinc, you will need to 
scrape them. Make everything dry before you put the 
food back. Another point is to notice the coolest spot 
in your refrigerator and put there the food that spoils 
most quickly, like meat or milk. 

The iceless refrigerator.^ This is a method of cool- 

1 For full description, see copy of The Weekly News Letter, U. S. Dept. 
of Agriculture, April 26, 1916. 




From The Weekly News Letter, U. S. 
Department of Agriculture. 

Fig. 80. — Iceless refrigerator. 

I. Wooden frame with shelves. 2. Wire net. 
3. Canton flannel cover. 4. Pan of water. 5. Heavy 
wicks to carry drip. 6. Pan to hold drip. 



142 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

ing by evaporation. Figure 80 shows an iceless cooler, 
to use when the ice supply is short. The dimensions 
are 3^ feet in height X 12 X 15 inches. If buttons and 
buttonholes are used on the canton flannel cover, the 
cost should not be more than eighty-five cents. The 
cooler can stand indoors, but a better place is under 
the shade of a tree in the breeze. It should be cleaned 
by removing the cover which should be boiled in process 
of washing. The frame should be scrubbed, thoroughly 
rinsed, and dried out of doors. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. How do you store vegetables for the winter? Do you like 
Mr. Stark's plans for doing this ? 

2. How do you keep the cellar dry at your house ? Why is damp- 
ness dangerous ? 

3. Describe how you would clean your cellar. Would you do it 
the same way as the Starks did ? 

4. Why is sweeping up in the kitchen dangerous when the dust 
is permitted to fly ? 

5. How often do you clean the refrigerator at your house ? How 
is this done ? 

Lesson 5 

a few suggestions for laundering 

How can a girl help at home to make laundry work easier ? 

When the homemaking class of the Ellen H. Rich- 
ards House had laundered the table linen after one of 
their entertainments, they discussed with Miss James 



LAUNDERING 



143 



the ways in which a girl might reheve her mother from 
a part of the laundry work.^ 

Laundry bags and baskets, Marjorie Allen and the 
other girls made laundry bags for their own rooms of 
heavy washable cloth bound with tape, of the shape of 
the bag in the sketch. These bags were made to hold 
soiled handkerchiefs, neckwear, and underwear. Mrs. 
Allen has the laundry work done in the shed outside 
the house. Two barrels lined with 
cheesecloth bags are placed there. One 
is used for bed linen and heavy under- 
wear and towels ; the other for table 
linen. Large covered baskets or ham- 
pers can be used. The bags and bas- 
kets must be frequently washed. 

Saving labor. Several of the girls 
decided to use underwear made of a 
good quality of cotton crepe, and to 
make some of their summer dresses of 
materials that need no ironing. These 
articles should be shaken out and stretched before they 
are entirely dry. Where lace is used for trimming, this 
can be pulled into shape with the fingers. An embroid- 
ered edging should be ironed with the pattern side laid 
upon a folded Turkish towel. 

Several of the Pleasant Valley families use paper 
napkins and table oilcloth in the summer. This 
makes the wash very much smaller. 

^ See Clothing and Healthy Kinne-Cooley, page 188. 




Fig. 81. — A suitable 
laundry bag for 
hand kerchiefs, 
nee kwe ar, or 
underwear. 



144 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Sorting the clothes. MoUie Stark always helps her 

mother by taking the articles 
from the different laundry 
bags and the hampers, and 
sorting them in piles. The 
colored garments are piled 
together, and the woolen arti- 
cles are separated from the 
cotton. The underwear, bed 
linen, and towels are not 
washed with the table linen. 
Doing up shirt waists. Miss 
James advised the girls to 
wash and iron their own shirt 
If the shirt waist is made of a 




Courtesy of Lovell Man. Co., N. Y. 
Fig. 82. — Convenient tubs. 




Fig. 83. — A good clothes 
sprinkler. 



waists and neckwear. 

colored material, a little salt or 

alum should be used in the 

water to set the color. A white 

laundry soap is better to use 

with colored goods than the 

yellow soap which contains rosin 

and probably is stronger with alkali. Colored gar- 
ments should always be 
-^ dried in the shade. For 
starching a lingerie waist 
use one teaspoonful of 

Fig. 84. — A sleeveboard is a great con- Starch tO 3. quart of 
venience. . j r J * 

water, and tor medmm 
fabrics one and one half to three tablespoonfuls of 




LAUNDERING 



145 



starch to one quart of water. Linen waists should not 
be starched at all. The even sprinkling of a shirt 
waist is very important, especially if it has been 
starched. A whisk broom is convenient for this pur- 
pose. The waist should be stretched and smoothed, 
and rolled tight. 

Smooth, clean irons and a sleeveboard help very much 
in ironing the waist. Grandfather Allen, who is a 
" handy man " in 
many ways, made a 
sleeveboard like the 
one pictured in Fig- 
ure 84. The ironing 
board itself should be 
covered with a clean 
cloth which may be 
a piece taken from 
an old sheet. A cover 
of heavy unbleached 
cotton cloth, tied on 
the board with tapes, is more convenient than a cloth 
that is sewed on. 

Have ready for the ironing a stand for the iron, a 
piece of cloth or paper on which to wipe the iron, and 
a piece of wax tied in a cloth for rubbing it off. Shake 
and stretch the waist and lay it straight upon the 
board. Iron from the right to the left, arranging and 
holding the waist with the left hand. Iron with the 
long thread of the cloth. Begin with one side of the 




Fig. 85. — Some useful irons. 



146 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



I 




waist and bring it towards you on the board. Iron 
first the smaller parts that will not wrinkle easily, such 

as ruffles, trimming, and 
sleeves. If the waist is 
embroidered, iron the em- 
broidered portion right 
side down on a very soft 
thick towel. Tucks and 
folds must be straight- 
ened with the fingers, and 
when you do not get the 
tucks straight the first 
time, moisten with a 

Fig. 86. — A sleeveboard in use. Notice damp cloth and try again. 
the position of Mrs. Allen's shoulders. t mi • • 1 

Iron until the waist is dry. 
When the ironing is finished, put the waist upon a 
hanger, and place it where it will not wrinkle. The 
hanger can be made of a 
piece of paper rolled firmly 
and hung by a string in the 
middle. The picture (Fig. 
86) shows how a sleeveboard 
can be used. 

Labor-saving apparatus. 
Several of the Pleasant 
Valley girls who are earning 
a little pin money, enjoy giving some new-fashioned 
machines to their mothers. There are several kinds of 
washing machines on the market. One of the best is 





Fig. 87. — A suction washer. 



LAUNDERING 



147 



the type which rocks the clothes in soapy water. A 
simple form is a suction washer which consists of a 
cone with a long handle which is pushed up and down, 
or which works by a long 
handle and is fastened to 
the tub. A good wringer 
is a great help, as is also 
a small mangle. 

Other hints for helping. 
Both Marjorie and Mollie 
help with the mending, 
and they sort and put 
away the clean garments 
and other articles. At 
the times of year when 
they are not busy in 
school, they also help 
with the cooking and 
take entire charge of the 
table setting and dish washing on washing day. Some 
of the Pleasant Valley girls have planned to launder 
shirt waists the coming summer. There were many 
women at the new hotel last year who could find no 
one to launder their waists well. Some of the Pleasant 
Valley mothers have their washing day on Tuesday, 
because this gives them Monday for setting the house 
in order and for preparing the food for the next day. 
Mrs. Stark has found that this system of arranging her 
work sav^s time as well as energy. 




Fig. 



Courtesy of Lovell Man. Co., N. Y. 
\. — A good mangle. 



148 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



PROBLEMS AND EXERCISES 

1. Explain how a suction washer forces water through the clothes. 

2. Make a rule for cooking laundry starch. 

3. Test the blueing that you use at home by mixing a little with a 
strong solution of washing soda and heating. (If the mixture turns 
red, the blueing is made of a salt of iron which is bad for the clothes.) 

4. Why do we sometimes need ammonia or borax in the water for 
washing purposes ? 

Lesson 6 



HOUSEHOLD PESTS 

Fighting flies and 
mosquitoes, rats and 
mice, is everybody's 
business. How can 
boys and girls help at 
home and elsewhere ? 
The Pleasant Valley 
girls and boys are par- 
ticular about this at 
the Ellen H. Richards 
House. 

Whether we are 
preparing break- 
fast or dinner or 
supper or are clear- 
ing away the meal, 
how the flies do 
love to share our 
food with us, if we give them a chance ; and how quickly 




Courtesy of the N. Y. S. College of Agr., at Cornell University. 
Fig. 89. — A full-grown fly, much enlarged. 



HOUSEHOLD PESTS 



149 



they find the warmest spot if it is cool or damp outside. 
We cannot, we must not have flies upon our food, no 
matter how impossible it may seem to keep them away. 
Many years ago verses were written about the fly 
to persuade children to treat the little creature as a 
friend. The lines ran something like this : 

" Bustling, busy little fly, 
Drink with me, and drink as I." 

How could we have explained to the writer that the little 
poem is quite wrong, 
and that the fly may be 
one of the worst possi- 
ble enemies to the little 
child, and to grown 
people too. Our name 
for this unclean insect 
is now the *' Typhoid 
Fly " ; and our motto 
must be ^' Fight the 
Fly." The little ones 
must be taught never to 
taste food on which a 
fly has lighted, and 
never to drink from a 
cup when a fly has taken 
a walk upon its edge. 

What does the fly like best? Compare the food and 
habits of a honey-bee or of a clean bumble-bee with a 




Courtesy of Louisiana State Board of Health. 

Fig. 90, 



I50 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY' 



fly, and the difference proves to us what a dirty crea- 
ture the latter can be. The bees are flocking to the 

clover blos- 
soms, or find- 
ing their honey 
at the base of 
some deep 
flower; and the 
flies are flock- 
ing — where? 
To the filthiest 
spot they can 
discover, — the 
manure heap, 
the garbage 
can, decayed 
fruit and vege- 
tables. Here 
they swarm, and increase in number, and then they 
come to our clean kitchens, attracted by the warmth 
and the smell of food. 
Here is a picture (Fig. 
92) that shows how the fly 
can bring to us germs of 
disease upon legs and body 
from the filth it loves. 

The picture (Fig. 93) 
shows the journey the fly 
makes to the baby's mouth. Many a baby has lost its 




U. S. Department of AyricuUure. 

Fig. 91. — A spot that flies love. 




U. S. Depi. of Agr. Farmers' Bulletin 463. 

Fig. 92. — A fly with germs (greatly 
magnified) on its legs. 



HOUSEHOLD PESTS 



151 



life from sickness brought by a fly, and we cannot count 
the cases of typhoid developed from filth and disease 
germs. A fly in the room with a typhoid patient may 
carry the disease to another home. 

The war against flies. Where shall we conduct our 
fly-fighting, and finally get rid of our enemy altogether ? 
Outside of the house and in, 
with everybody at work. 

Miss James wrote to the fly- 
fighting committee of the Ameri- 
can League for Civic Improve- 
ment, Washington, D. C, and 
they supplied enough pamphlets 
for everybody in Pleasant Valley 
and roundabout. The Women's 
Club decided to have a '' Clean 
Up Day," which would take care 
of some of the outdoor spots 
where flies collect. Mrs. Beech, 
the President of the Club, offered 
a prize to the girl or boy who 
would collect the largest number 
of flies in the season, and some one was appointed to 
keep the record. 

What are some of the simple things to do, as well as 
the larger ones ? There are three parts to our fly- 
fighting plan : 

1. Keeping out the flies. 

2. Catching the flies, outdoors and in. 




From the " Fly Fighter, Fly Fighting 
Committee, American Civic Association. 

Fig. 93. — The house-fly's air 
Hne. 



152 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



3. Cleaning up dirty places where they increase. 
Keeping out the flies. This we should do by having 
windows and doors screened. These can be bought, 
made of wire in wooden frames which are adjustable. 
At the Ellen H. Richards House the girls used mos- 
quito netting, pasted on the outside of the window 
frames, with one corner fastened with thumbtacks, so 
that the netting can be loosened when the window sill 
is brushed off. 

Catching the flies. We used to think that driving 

out flies was a part of the 
daily work in summer ; 
but if we drive them out, 
it is merely to have them 
come again soon for an- 
other call. What we 
should do is to catch and 
kill them. Catch them 
out of doors, wherever they are hanging about ; and, 
if once they are in the house, kill them there. 

Always watch for the flies that have lived through 
the winter, and that crawl out when the first touch of 
warmth suggests spring. Look for them around the 
barn, the woodshed, the woodpile, the places where 
fruit and vegetables have been stored, and set your 
trap at once. If we could kill every spring fly, we 
would have none later ; but it would he hard indeed 
to find that last fly. 

'' Sticky " fly paper. This is a disagreeable way of 




U. S. Dept. of Agr. Farmers' Bulletin 679. 
Fig. 94. — The common house fly. 



HOUSEHOLD PESTS 



153 



catching flies, but it works. A substance called *' Tangle- 
foot " comes in cans, and this can be spread on a 
shingle, the shingle set out in the sun, out of the wind, 
and burned when it becomes covered with flies. A 
piece of the paper, fastened firmly upon the wall of the 
shed or outside wall of house, will collect a great many. 
Or place a sheet inside the house where the sun will 
strike it, or on a window sill, with the shade almost 
down. Wherever you lay the sheet, fasten it firmly, 
for the sticky substance is difficult to 
clean off. If the paper falls or blows 
over, use a little kerosene to remove it. 

Poisoning the flies. A poisoned 
paper comes for this purpose to be 
placed on a saucer of water ; but, of 
course, it must stand out of the reach 
of little children and animals. It is 
rather disagreeable, too, to have the ^^^'^^l 
dead flies dropping about. 

Trapping the flies. Have you ever seen an old 
fashioned trap made with a tumbler ? Grandmother 
Stark makes them in this way: i. is a glass tum- 
bler ; 2. is the soapy water, which should not reach 
the top of the glass; 3. is a slice of bread, cut 
half an inch thick ; 4. is a hole in the bread, with 
molasses spread in it, and under the slice of bread. 
The molasses must not lie on top of the bread. Set 
this trap in a place where the flies are gathering, 
either outside or indoors. They are quick to find the 




Courtesy of La Mont 
A. Warner. 

. — An old-fash- 
ioned fly trap. 



154 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Courtesy of La Mont 
A. Warner. 

Fig. 96. — Ready to 
catch flies on the 
ceiUng. 



molasses, and will crawl into the hole ; 
but, as they are not bright enough to 
crawl out, they fall into the soapsuds. 
' Here is another way to use a glass of 
hot soapsuds. Kerosene may be used 
in place of the suds. If in spite of all 
our care some flies are left in the kitchen 
— you know how they collect on the 
ceiling for a night's rest, — when the 
light is dull, and the flies are quiet, hold 
the tumbler underneath a fly, knock the 
tumbler gently against the ceiling, and 
you have the fly. If the ceiling is high, 
have an arrangement like Figure 96 : 
I is an old broom handle ; 2 is a tin can tacked on the 
end of the broom handle ; 3 is the glass of hot soap- 
suds. If the kitchen is warm, and the flies are buzzing 
about, cool off the room 
as much as you can, and 
then begin action. You 
will be surprised to find 
how well this works, and 
how rapid it is, if the 
flies are quiet ; a cool 
evening or early morning 
are the times when this 

. Courtesy of Paul Thompson. 

method is the best. Fig. 97. —The sugar-barrel flytrap and 

Wire traps. Traps can '^^ catch. The black mass in the pic- 

- 1 1 1 • 1 ^^^^ consists of forty-seven pounds of 

be purchased to be baited flies ! They were caught. 




HOUSEHOLD PESTS 155 

with food, and set outside the door, in the stable or in 
the woodhouse ; the nearer to the place the flies come 
from, the better. The flies can be killed after they are 
trapped, by boiling water, or by standing the trap in 
the oven. 

Figure 97 shows the picture of a large barrel trap to 
be set near a stable, or any spot where many flies 
gather. The Boys' Club of Pleasant Valley begged the 
barrels, set the traps, and caught just as many flies 
as the picture shows. Will you not make one to stand 
in the barnyard ? 

To Make. Knock out both top and bottom of a barrel. Take 
piece of wire netting, and shape into a cone 18 inches high. The base 
of the cone must be the same as the bottom of the barrel. Leave one 
inch space at apex of the cone. Fasten large end of cone securely to 
bottom of barrel. Over the top of the barrel put a flat piece of netting, 
so fastened that it can be easily taken out to remove flies. Next 
raise barrel two inches from ground by means of legs fastened to the 
barrel. Put some enticing bait in a pie pan and slip under the bar- 
rel. The flies come, eat their fill, and, attracted by the light over- 
head, fly up into the cone and work their way through the small 
inch space at apex of cone into the barrel. To kill the flies turn the 
barrel on its head and pour scalding water over them. 

A way to avoid having flies, is to make a trap (Fig. 
98) for catching the larvae. Take two half barrels, 
and in the lower place some water with oil floating on 
top, or some kerosene. Insert in this the other half 
with bottom replaced by a wire screen supporting an 
inch or two of manure. The flies will deposit eggs here ; 



IS6 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Courtesy of The Garden Magazine, Douhleday, Page & Cd. 
Fig. 98. — A trap for killing larvae of house 

flies: A, manure; B^ wire mesh; C, oil 

and water. 



the larvae will wriggle 

their way downward and, 

falling through the wire 

mesh, are killed in the 

oil below. This method 

is practical and simple. 

Figure 99 shows John 

Allen finishing off a large 

r^ wire trap which he has 

made at home. A wire 

fly killer that costs ten 

cents will last all sum- 

Or fold 



mer. 



a news- 



paper, and hit the fly 
with that. Use this in addition to everything else. If 
the flies are numerous and you have not succeeded in 
killing them all, use wire 
covers over all the plates 
of food on the table. 

Cleaning up. Garbage 
must always be covered if 
it stands. The big clean- 
ing up is where Father 
must help ; ^ for we must 
go to the root of our 

^ The U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 
has a pamphlet on the maggot trap. 
Bulletin No. 200. Maggot Trap in 
Practical Use; an Experiment 
House Fly Control. 




m 



Courtesy of Agricultural Extension Department, 
Harvester Building, Chicago, III. 

Fig. 99, — John Allen finishing off a 
wire trap. 



HOUSEHOLD PESTS 



157 



troubles, — the stables, the pigpen, and the hen house, — 
and keep them cleaned out. The Woman's Club of 
Pleasant Valley wrote to the State College for advice 
and received letters and pamphlets about taking care 
of the stables and pens, and the use of cement on the 
farm. When the Grange met, the Woman's Club 
asked to have some one speak on this subject too. 
This set all the farmers 
thinking ; for you see tak- 
ing proper care of ^the 
stables and pens not only 
decreases the flies, but 
makes the animals 
healthy, and keeps milk 
clean. We have not space 
in this little book to talk 
about just what the far- 
mer can do, but some- 
thing we hope he will 
want to do, and he can 
find help. Human lives 
are at stake, you see. 

And about mosquitoes? You may be sure that the 
mosquitoes have no warmer welcome in Pleasant Val- 
ley or at the Ellen H. Richards House than the flies. 
Destroying mosquitoes is harder than fighting flies, 
because it means the draining of swamps, the put- 
ting of kerosene on pools that cannot be drained ; and 
everybody has to help. Mosquitoes carry malaria 




Courtesy of the X. Y. S. College of Agr. at Cornell TJni. 
Fig. 100. — Life story of a mosquito. 



158 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



and fever ; but they can be stamped out. One can 
live now in Havana, Cuba, or at the Isthmus of 
Panama with httle fear of yellow fever, because the 
mosquitoes are vanquished. More than one brave 
man has lost his life to bring this about. 

What can we do near the house ^ The young mos- 




FiG. loi. — A pleasant farm home with no long grass for mosquitoes. 

quito, when first hatched, lives in standing water. 
Do you know the mosquito wriggler when you see it in 
a pool ? Figure loo is a picture of the mosquito at 
different ages. An old tin can, left lying outside and 
half-filled with rain water, makes a pleasant summer 
cottage for the young mosquitoes ; and if they are 
undisturbed, enough full-grown mosquitoes may come 



HOUSEHOLD PESTS 



159 



from that one can to spoil your summer evenings, and 
to poison you with their bites. Look all about the house 
after a rain, and see that no water remains standing. 
Cover rain barrels with netting. You need not fear run- 
ning water, but look for pools, and pour some kerosene 
on the surface of the water. This smothers the wrigglers. 

At one shore resort matters were helped very much by 
pouring kerosene on the rain-water pools in the rocks 
above tide level. 

Look out for long grass near the house, especially if 
the ground is inclined to be wet, and keep it cut close. 
Mosquitoes do not travel far, but sometimes a strong 
wind will blow a swarm of mosquitoes from a distant 
swamp to the house. They will not increase unless 
they can find the stand- 
ing water. A few years 
of hard work would rid 
us of these two small 
but real enemies. 

Another enemy. 
When our houses and 
barns are troubled with 
rats, we must take 
great pains to be rid 
of them. This can be done with patience and per- 
severance. In December, 191 5, there was a paragraph 
in one of the papers saying that the city of New Or- 
leans is practically rid of this pest. The city was 
threatened with that terrible disease, the bubonic 





U. S. Dept. of Agr. Farmers' Bulletin 369. 
Fig. I02. — Barrel traps for rats. 



i6o THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

plague, which is carried by rats living in wharves at 
the water's edge. While there is little danger that we 
shall have this disease at present, rats are destructive 
of our property. Figure 102 is a picture of a barrel 
trap, recommended by the U. S. Department of Agricul- 
ture. Do you know that rats are so bright that they 
suspect a trap, and that you must leave a barrel trap 
of this kind open for several days, that they may go in 
and out and find the food that they like ? Then set 
it, and you will probably catch them. If you should 
use one of the large wire traps that come for this pur- 
pose, open the trap that the rats may pass in and out 
freely, and lay it inside a sack open at both ends. 
They will become used to it, and then you can close 
and set the trap. 

QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES 

1. Why must we be so careful about flies and mosquitoes ? 

2. Suggest some other ways than those mentioned in the lesson 
for ridding your house of both. 

3. Look about your own house to see if there are places where the 
mosquito wriggler might flourish. 

REVIEW PROBLEMS 

I. Why is cleanliness such an important subject for school study ? 
Write a composition about this. 

II. Send to State College for a lecturer. Hold the lecture at your 
church or school. Write a list of six topics on cleanliness of the town 
or home. Send the lists to the lecturer so she may choose one. 

III. What ideas have you gotten from the lesson on dust and 
dirt which you can help to put in operation at your home ? 




CHAPTER IV 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 

We have learned what it means to care for the 
home ; now we are to study how we can keep the 
members of the family well and happy in the home. 
The Pleasant Valley girls have studied this too and 
have learned that the baby is a very important member 
of the family. 

Miss Travers from State College has been giving a 
series of talks at the Pleasant Valley School about 
caring for the baby. All the women of the Mothers' 
Club attended as well as some of the older school girls. 
Marjorie Allen is especially interested, as she is anxious 
to earn some money this summer during school vaca- 
tion, and thinks she can, as Aunt Sarah who lives at 
Bear Mountain has a baby, and has told Marjorie she 
will pay her seven dollars a month if she will come 
and live with her and care for Baby Julia. What do 
you think Marjorie Allen should know in order to re- 
lieve Aunt Sarah and to render this service carefully 



M 



i6i 



iGz 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



and efficiently ? Marjorie is 14, and hopes to save the 
money earned during summer days. Later she wishes 
to study trained nursing, after her high school course 
is finished. 

Lesson i 

what we are to study about next 

What are the Important things to learn about keeping baby well ? 

Do you know that five babies are born every minute 

and that one of these dies during its first year ? Little 

1 -^r ¥¥11 babies are very delicate 

(jUard Your Health and must have good care 

if they are to be kept 
alive. How very sad it 
would be to have Baby 
Julia die ! Perhaps you 
have not heard that 
300,000 babies under one 
year of age died last year 
in the United States. At 
the United States Chil- 
dren's Bureau in Wash- 
ington, we are told that 
one half of these deaths 
could have been pre- 
vented. Think of saving a baby every two minutes, or 
150,000 babies a year! The babies died because their 
mothers or big sisters did not know how to care for them 
intelligently so as to keep them well. There are many 




Five Babies are born every 
minute in the United States 

It's not the Babies born,but 
the Babies who live,that count 



By permission of Woman's Home Companion 
Fig. 103. — Can you help save the babies ? 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 163 

things to learn ; and, if the mother or big sister knows 
some of them, it may not be necessary to send for the 
doctor very often, because baby will be well and happy. 
Money will be saved for other purposes if not spent for 
doctor's visits, which are expensive, and home will be 
a happier place in which to live because baby will 
be bright and playful instead of dull and crying. It 
is not natural for baby to be sick. The normal baby is 
well, and well babies are good. A well baby is much 
easier to care for than a sick one. Sick babies as a 
rule do not grow up to be strong men and women. Let 
us help our country by learning all we can about keeping 
the babies well so we may have a land full of strong, 
healthy, good citizens all able to earn and to help. 
Knowledge about keeping well is a prevention against 
many ailments, diseases, and accidents. Let us all 
learn as well as Marjorie Allen. We too may wish to 
care for babies in our homes or the babies of others. 
The important things to know in order to keep baby 
well are : 

1. How to keep baby clean, comfortable, and happy. 

2. How to select the best kind of food for baby. 

3. How to choose the proper kind of clothing. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Why was Marjorie Allen anxious to learn so many things about 
Baby Julia ? 

2. Write to the Children's Bureau, Department of Labor, at 
Washington, D. C, for pamphlets about caring for the baby. 



i64 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Lesson 2 

how shall we keep baby clean ? 

Have you ever thought how very comfortable you feel when you 
have had a bath ? Baby too is unhappy and cross unless he is kept 
clean and fresh by a daily bath. 

The bath for baby. In some countries babies are 
tied up for the winter and do not have a chance to 
kick and enjoy the refreshment of a good bath. 
Have you ever watched any one bathe the baby ? 
When the weather is warm, perhaps your teacher will 
ask a neighbor to bring her baby to school when Miss 
Mary the district nurse is in town. Trained nurses 
know exactly the right ways to handle the baby. In the 
picture near you will see some eighth-grade girls at the 
Pleasant Valley schoolhouse door. The district nurse 
had been spending the morning at school showing them 
how to bathe the baby. She is standing next to Mrs. 
Anthony, who is ready to take Baby Edith home. 

The necessary things to have ready for baby's bath. 
This is what happened when the nurse gave the baby a 
bath. She had a tin tub, which was oval in shape 
and painted white. It rested carefully on two square 
blocks of wood, so nurse did not have to stoop. The 
tub had been half filled with warm water. Near the 
tub stood two pitchers, one containing cold and the 
other hot water. This was in case nurse needed to 
cool the bath or to make it warmer. Nurse said when 
baby is only a few weeks old the temperature should be 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



i6s 



about 99° F., or blood heat, but the temperature can 
be lowered gradually to 90° F. by the time baby is a 
year old. There are bath thermometers which cost 
about twenty cents, for testing, but one learns to know 




Courtesy of Miss Van Duzer, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Fig. 104. — These girls have been learning how to bathe the baby. 

the temperature by testing with one's elbow. It is 
very easy to burn baby, so one should be very sure. 
There were two chairs, a low one for nurse to sit on 
and another near at hand with the necessary things 
for her use. They were : 

Two wash cloths. 

Two soft towels. 

A cake of pure castile soap. Scented or strong soaps would 
injure baby's skin. 

A bottle containing boracic acid water for washing baby's eyes. 
This is made by dissolving i teaspoonful of boracic acid in a glass 



i66 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



of boiling water. Boracic acid is a white powder. \ou can buy it 
by the pound at the drug store, and it costs less than when bought 
in small quantities. The solution can be kept tightly corked in a 
clean bottle. 

Some absorbent cotton for washing baby's eyes. 

Two pieces of absorbent cotton rolled into a point like a pencil, 
for cleaning the nose and ears. 

A bottle of vaseline. 

A box of talcum powder. This costs less if bought by the pound. 



How nurse put baby into the bath. The ' nurse 
removed some of baby's clothes and, before undressing 
her entirely, washed her face and head with the soft 

wash cloth, and dried 
them with the face 
towel. Then she 
washed out the nose 
and ears very gently 
with the little wads of 
cotton. The room was 
warm, and nurse was 
sure before she started 
that there was no cold 
air coming in, for baby must not be chilled. Nurse put 
soap on the second wash cloth and rubbed it all over 
baby ; then she put her into the tub very gently and 
carefully. She splashed and liked it, and nurse washed 
her with this second wash cloth — the other was for 
face only. She washed all over the little body, holding 
her carefully as in the picture. Five minutes is 




By permission of Woman's Home Companion. 
Fig. 105. — See how carefully nurse supports 
baby. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



167 





enough when baby is a year old, and less time when 
younger. Nurse rinsed off all the soap and then lifted 
her carefully on her soft crash apron and dried her 
quickly with the dry towel. Then she put a little 
powder in all her fat creases, under the chin, arms, and 
legs, so that there was no danger of uncomfortable chaf- 
ing and irritation. Then 
baby's clothes were put 
on — what they were we 
shall learn another day. 
(See page 199.) 

The soft absorbent 
cotton was then wet with 
the boracic acid water, 
and each eye was washed 
with a different piece of 
cotton which was after- 
wards thrown away. 
Baby was given a little 
cool boiled water from a 
spoon, but her mouth 




was not washed out. If Fig. 106. —Aunt Elizabeth is preparing to 
1 . „ , . . show Marjorie how to bathe baby JuHa. 

she IS well, this is not 

necessary until she has teeth. Then baby's hair was 
brushed with a soft brush, and with a blanket about 
her she was ready for her breakfast and a good sleep 
out of doors. She is very happy after such good care. 
How often to bathe baby. The best time to bathe 
the baby is in the morning between two feedings ; 



i68 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

never less than one hour after a feeding. A well 
baby should be bathed every day after it is a week old. 
Sometimes baby frets because his skin is clogged and 
he needs a good bath. If baby is not strong, the doctor 
should decide how often he should be given a tub bath, 
but he should be wiped off with warm water every 
day. In very warm weather it is sometimes wise to 
give baby one or two sponge baths during the day to 
cool the little body. 

I wonder if Marjorie Allen could remember so many 
things ? Shp could, I know. After Aunt Elizabeth 
had helped her once or twice perhaps then she could 
do it all alone. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

Have you watched while baby has a bath ? Notice when and how 
he is bathed. Is it the same way that Miss Mary bathed Baby 
Edith ? Talk it over with your teacher. 



Lesson 3 

SOME things to MAKE BABY GROW 

Have you ever wondered why baby sleeps so much ? If the baby 
is to grow and be well and strong, sleep is very necessary. 

Sleep is very important, for it makes baby grow. 
During the first month, baby should sleep about twenty- 
two hours out of the twenty-four, and even at six months 
of age as much as sixteen hours are required. The 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 169 

other hours of the day are for bathing and feeding. If 

baby's sleep is interfered with, his nervous system may 

not develop normally, he 

will be restless and fretful, - - , 

and he will cry. \. . .*^ / 

The night clothing for ? ^ 

baby. During the first \ 

year baby should be un- ^^"''^^s^ ^ 

dressed and made ready ^^ ^^J 

lOr me nigni Oy six O CIOCK. By permission of woman's Home companion. 

He should be trained to Fig. 107. — Baby is ready to sleep out 

sleep, during the first three ^°°''^- "°^ ^'^"^ '^' ^""^^ ' 
months, from 6 p.m. until 6 or 7 in the morning, with 
a feeding at 9 or 10 o'clock at night, and another at 
midnight if he wakens. The clothing worn during the 
day should be hung up to air and his night band, shirt, 

^ diapers, and nightdress put 

on. A warm " nightie " is 
' worninwinter, but a lighter 
nightslip is better in sum- 
mer. In winter the gown 
should be made of flannel, 
cashmere, or specially pre- 
vX : ' \ pared outing flannel. It is 

By permission of Woman's Home Companion. pOSSlDlC tO t)Uy 3. nigllt 
Fig. io8.— a comfortable "nightie" for drCSS of StOckiuCt which is 

^^ "'^' like our Stockings — knitted 

material. These are warm and comfortable and are 
often drawn up at the feet to keep baby warm. Outing 




170 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




flannel is danger- 
ous for baby's gar- 
ments. It burns 
easily unless 
treated with a 
chemical. To pre- 
vent this, see page 
9 in Clothing and 
Health. 

Baby should 
sleep alone. At 



Fig. 109. 



The clothes basket is ready for baby firSt a clotheS baS- 
Juha on the side porch. ^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ 

comfortable with pads and blankets, but later a cot or 

bed is necessary if baby is to sleep well (Figs. 109, 

no). A pillow is not necessary and baby rests better 

without it. Do not rock the baby. Place him in his 

bed by himself in a quiet room. The kitchen is not a 

good place for baby to 

sleep. Be sure the room 

has been well ventilated 

even in cold weather, and 

always keep a window 

open top and bottom 

while he is asleep (Fig. 

III). If it is possible for 

him to sleep out of doors, 

• • 1 > , . T^ • ,1 By permission of the Whiicomb Metallic Bed Company. 

It IS better. Durmg the 

^ - ' 111 tiG. no. — A suitable crib for baby. The 

nrst year baby should side can be lowered. 




THE CARE OF THE BABY 



171 



have a nap morning and afternoon. Later on one nap 
during the day may be sufficient. 

If possible baby's room should be screened. Flies 
and mosquitoes carry germs and disease. If you can- 
not screen the room, have a netting over the bed. 

Baby needs plenty of fresh air and sunshine in 
order to grow strong. If he cannot sleep out of doors 
all the time, keep him out as much as possible. Even 
in cold weather baby 
enjoys being outdoors 
if well protected. 

If baby is restless, it 
may be due to the fact 
that he is uncomfort- 
able. Try to find the 
cause — his clothing 
may be wet, or he may 
need to be turned in 
bed. We do not care 
to lie on our backs all 
the time, neither does 
baby. He may be thirsty or in pain. Do not give 
him a pacifier to comfort him. They are filthy and 
dangerous. They carry germs to the stomach and 
intestines, and cause mouth breathing and adenoids 
and upset digestion. Ask your teacher to explain how. 

Baby may cry for water. He should have it fre- 
quently but between feedings. He is not always 
hungry when he cries but may be very thirsty. • Some- 




By permission of Woman's Home Companion. 

Fig. III. — Notice the curtains are drawn 
back and the window open both at the 
top and bottom for circulation of air. 



172 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

times he cries because he has had too much food. It is 
wrong to feed the baby irregulariy. In order to stop 
his crying, give water instead. The water should not 
be too cool, and should be warm when baby is only a 
few months old. Test for warmth on the wrist. 
Always boil the water baby is to drink, and keep it 
covered until ready for use. Water is very soothing 
and helps to prevent constipation. Many grown 
people do not drink enough water, or think about it 
being a necessity. 

Some suggestions for baby's comfort. Baby cries 
sometimes in summer because he is hot. He feels 
the heat more than grown people. Keep baby cool, 
and remove some of his clothing, but do not let him 
get chilled. In winter keep him warm. 

Baby is uncomfortable and cries if his diaper is 
soiled. Never use a wet or soiled diaper a second 
time before it is washed. It will cause chafing. 

Sometimes baby likes to cry. The cause may be 
temper. Do not pick the baby up from the bed. 
A good cry develops lung capacity and stimulates 
circulation. A moderate amount of crying is not 
harmful. This is part of baby's exercise and helps to 
keep him well. 

Babies must be trained to lie in bed at the right 
times. It is wise to begin this kind of education the 
very first week of baby's life. Habits are quickly 
formed. Baby will enjoy being rocked or having 
someone walk the floor with him. This is unwise. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 173 

Baby will be very uncomfortable and unhappy unless 
his bowels move regularly every day. Constipation is 
the result of bad habits of not having regular times each 
day, and leads to all kinds of trouble in later life. Con- 
vulsions are sometimes due to constipation. Young 
babies should have two or three stools every twenty- 
four hours. If baby is constipated or if the move- 
ments are loose, a physician should be consulted until 
the mother has learned what to give the baby to cor- 
rect the digestive disturbance, for such troubles are 
due to wrong feeding and faulty digestion as well as 
bad habits. 

Exercise for baby. How would you feel if you could 
not move about or exericse ^ Baby needs a chance, too. 
The first few weeks of his life crying is his exercise. 
When about three months old baby should be given 
the chance each day to kick and roll. Place him on a 
bed with nothing on but his little shirt. The room 
should be warm, about 70° F. There should be no 
drafts. Rub his little back and limbs at this time. 
The rubbing helps to make them strong. Watch him 
stretch and coo. 

Baby is not a plaything. From four to nine months 
baby will help with his exercise. He will hold up his 
head and look about. He will begin to creep at about 
ten months, and to sit alone. At about one year he 
will begin to walk. If mother is busy, a pen like the 
one in the picture can be put on the grass on a shawl 
in summer, or on the floor indoors at other times. As 



174 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



he grows he will need play. Thought should be given 
to selecting the best toys and the right games. Baby 
will put everything into his mouth. Toys made of 
wool or hair are bad. Those which can be washed are 
best. As he grows older, toys can be chosen which 
will have educational value as well. 




Fig. 112. — Baby is amusing himself while mother is busy. 

Baby is not a plaything to amuse the family. At six 

months of age is time enough to begin to play a little. 
Playing before that age causes him to sleep badly, to 
have indigestion, and to be nervous and irritable. 

Kissing on the mouth is bad for baby. Disease is 
often communicated in this way. People with colds 
should not go near or touch baby. 

Sucking his fingers should be prevented. It spoils 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



175 



the shape of his fingers and mouth. A pacifier is 
equally bad and causes many troubles. 

Baby should always have his own wash cloths, towels, 
and handkerchiefs. It is not safe to use a handkerchief 
which others have used. 

Plan a clock for baby. He will grow and have better 
habits if he has systematic care. This might be his 
clock, or schedule, for the first six months, after he 
is a few days old. It is very important to feed baby by 



the 




to have a definite time. The intervals 



may vary between feedings, more or less time according 
to baby's health. A physician should recommend 
the schedule, for what the intervals are to be will 
depend on circumstances. 

6 A.M. First feeding. 

Baby sleeps or kicks in bed. 
8.30 A.M. Bath. 

9 A.M. Baby has second feeding, and 
sleeps until noon, outdoors 
if possible. 
12 A.M. Baby's noonday meal. Third 
feeding. 
1-3 P.M. Outdoors ; nap or airing. 

3 P.M. Baby nurses. Fourth feeding. 
3-5 P.M. Baby is awake; when he is 
six months old, this can be 
play time. 

5 P.M. Preparation for bed. 

6 P.M. Supper. Fifth feeding. 




Fig. 113. — Clock I shows that 
baby is fed every three hours, 
and has seven feedings during 
the day. This is for the first 
three months of his Hfe. 



176 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



9 P.M. Sixth feeding. 

12 P.M. Seventh feeding. After three months of age this feeding 
can be omitted. He should sleep until 6 a.m. if comfortable and well. 

These clocks show some suggested schedules for 
feeding baby. The small numbers outside the rim of 
the clock show the number of feedings, and the hours 
at which they should be given. 



7° ClockII 3 



Fig. 114. — Clock II shows that 
baby should be fed every 3^ 
hours from three to six months 
old, but only six feedings each 
day. 




Fig. 115. — Clock III. Baby 
has only five feedings each 
day from his seventh month 
until he is i year old. How 
often does the clock say ? 



EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. See if you can arrange a sheltered place where your baby 
brother or sister may sleep out of doors. 

2. Make a list of the good habits baby should begin to form if 
he is to be well and strong. 

3. Plan a clock which will show how very systematically he should 
live. It is very important, not only to plan but to be sure the baby 
is fed and bathed and cared for on time. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 177 

Lesson 4 

the food for baby is the most important thing in help- 
ing to keep him well 

Do you know what to feed baby ? Some one has said that "The 
feeding of children is the foundation of citizenship." Do you know 
what is meant by a good foundation, and by good citizenship ? 

The right food for baby will be the best foundation. 
It is very important to have a good foundation for 
anything which is being built. The right food for 
babies will be the best foundation we can give them 
for health. Pigs and cows are often fed more wisely 
than most little children. Farmers know in raising 
their stock that care and right feeding of their animals 
is necessary in order to raise them. When cattle and 
horses are well fed and cared for, they look better, do 
better work, and are more valuable to the farmer. This 
is true of grown people and little children too. Isn't 
this a good reason why we should all study how to 
care for the little babies too ^ 

We are told that out of every one hundred babies fed 
from bottles, on prepared foods, thirty die during the 
first year. This is due to lack of cleanliness of bottles and 
foods, or to use of food not properly prepared, or not 
adapted to the babies' needs. We are also told that 
only seven out of one hundred babies fed from the 
mothers' breasts die during the first year. So you see 
mother s milk is the best food and agrees with baby. 



178 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

It is nature's way, and all babies should be so fed if 
possible. Mother's milk contains every element which 
the baby's body needs for growth. It is free from 
germs and is clean. A nursing baby should have a 
healthy mother if he is to grow strong. 

Mothers must keep well too. Here are some of the 
things they should do in order to help baby : 

1. Eat regularly, good nourishing food, and plenty of it including 
a good deal of milk. "Milk is the best food to make milk." 

2. Sleep at least eight hours at night. 

3. Take a nap or lie down every afternoon for half an hour. It 
is endangering baby's life if mother gets too tired. Few mothers 
realize how very important this is. Rest is absolutely essential if 
baby is to be kept well. 

4. Drink plenty of water ; tea and coffee are too stimulating. 

5. Nurse the baby at regular times. Mother's nipples should 
be washed with boracic acid water each time before baby touches 
them. 

. 6. Exercise every day in the fresh air if possible. 

7. Be happy; do not fret or get tired or out of temper. 

8. Bathe every day. 

If the mother will obey all these rules, baby ought to 
be happy and digest his food. 

Baby should be nursed regularly. If he is fed from 
the bottle on prepared milk, his schedule should also 
be planned regularly. During the first months he will 
have to be wakened for his feeding, but later he learns 
to waken regularly if kept on a regular schedule. Ten 
to twenty minutes is about the right length of time 
for nursing. Baby should be held over the shoulder 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 179 

for a few minutes and patted very gently on the back 
after the feeding. This brings up the gas, or the air 
swallowed during feeding. Then he should be laid 
on his side in bed to rest quietly. Do you begin to 
understand how important this subject of food is, if 
we are to have well, healthy babies in our homes ^ 

Sometimes it happens that mothers do not have 
enough milk for baby and must give him some substitute 
from a bottle to make sufficient quantity during twenty- 
four hours ; or again, as sometimes happens, they may 
have no milk at all. Then artificial feeding is necessary. 
There is no perfect substitute for mother's milk. The 
best is cow's milk which has been changed or modified 
to suit the baby's stomach as well as possible. If the 
mother cannot nurse her baby, a physician should tell 
her what substitute to use. All children cannot be 
fed alike. It is not safe to use the same substitute 
that some neighbor who lives down the road uses for 
her baby. If a substitute must be used, these are the 
things one should remember at any time in feeding 
baby, even after baby has been weaned : 

1. How to select pure milk, which is better than any other food, 
and to keep it clean. 

2. How to keep the feeding bottles and nipples clean. 

3. How to prepare the cow's milk so the baby can digest it. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

I. What kind of food does your baby brother eat ? How old is 
he ? What is absolutely the very best food for baby .? What next 
best ? 



i8o 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Lesson 5 

pure milk for baby 

Do you know where the milk comes from which your baby drinks ? 
Is it pure ? How shall it be kept so ? 

Perhaps you live near the farm where the cows 
furnishing milk for your baby are kept. Perhaps the 
cows on your farm supply the milk ; or you may live in 




Fig. 116. — The cows which furnish the milk. 

a town some distance from the farm and buy the milk 
from a farmer or a dairy. If you wish to choose good 
milk for baby, you should know about these things : 

1. Are the cows healthy ? 

2. Is the barn clean ? 

3. Are the milkers clean ? Do they wash and dry their hands 
before milking ? 

4. Is the milk pail clean which holds the milk ? 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



i8i 



If you live in town, it is not always easy to know these 
things ; but on your own farm you can be sure. If 
you do not have cows, try to buy the milk from someone 
who is careful about the above things. It is worth 
while knowing where the milk comes from. It is not 
safe to buy milk from dirty dairies. In large cities 
inspectors are paid to go to the farms near the cities 
in order to see if conditions are safe, and if the milk 




Courtefty of Uie Walker -Gordon Laboratory. 

Fig. 117. — This picture shows a clean cow stable. 

sent to the large cities is handled -in a clean, safe way. 
If one lives in a large city and wishes to be very sure 
milk is pure and has had particular inspection, one 
can buy certified milk. It costs about 15 cents a quart 
in New York. 

After milking, the milk should be strained through 
several thicknesses of cheesecloth and put into clean 
cans, or some of it into bottles or jars for baby. 
These cans should be cooled at once by putting them 



l82 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



into ice water or in the spring. Do you know why 
it is necessary to cool the milk quickly as it comes from 
the cow ? The cooling helps to preserve it ; and, as 
you have learned, the bacteria will not have so good 
a chance to grow in the cooled milk. When allowed 




Courtesy of Walker -Gordon Laboratory Co, 
Fig. ii8. — Notice the clean milkers. 



to cool slowly in a cold room, there is more danger 
of the germs getting a start. 

The care of milk for baby is very important. Baby's 
milk can be put in a clean jar or bottle to be placed 
in the ice box, refrigerator, or cool cellar, until time 
to prepare it. Milk must always be covered. Never 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



183 





Clean Nurs, 
in6 Bottles 
and Nipples! 

Sanitai^ 
Care of Milk^ 
in the Home 

Iced or Cooled^ 
MilkinTransit 



Prompt Delivery 



Immediate Cooling 



let it stand five minutes without a cover. When the 
family buys bottled milk, the bottle which is to be 
used for the baby should be kept separate from the 
others and always in the coldest part 
of the ice box. 

Be sure the ice box is clean. It 
should be washed thoroughly with hot 
water and soda at least twice a week, 
and thoroughly aired. Why is this 
necessary.? (See page 141.) 

Milk used for baby should not be 
more than twenty-four hours old in 
summer or forty-eight hours in winter. 
If you are fiot sure the milk is pure, it 
can be sterilized or pasteurized before 
using it in the preparation of baby's 
food. Perhaps you can learn to do 
this in school ? Put the milk to be 
pasteurized into a clean double boiler 
or agate saucepan. Heat it to a tem- ^^^f^^Sr"'' 
perature of 150° F. and keep it at this Fig. 119. — Count 

. . r ^ ^ ' ^ iPi * how many times 

temperature for twenty mmutes. This ,he words "dean- 
temperature kills the bacteria of dis- and "cool" are 
eases. It does not afi^ect the taste of "^^ " ^' 
the milk. In large cities one can nearly always buy 
pasteurized milk. In many cities all milk except that 
which is " certified " must be pasteurized before it is 
ofi^ered for sale. The best way to pasteurize the milk 
for baby is to fill all the bottles for the day with his 



Clean Bottles 
Clean Pails and Cans 

Clean Milkers 

Clean Dairies 
Healthy Cows 



1 84 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

modified milk and place them in a wire rack. (In 
another lesson we shall learn what modified milk 
means.) Put this rack in a saucepan of cold water 
and put it on the stove until the water boils. When 
it boils remove from the stove and allow the bottles 
to stand in the hot water for twenty minutes. The 
bottles should have stoppers made of absorbent cot- 
ton, or porcelain stoppers which can be boiled. (See 
page 189.) 

If milk is to be sterilized, it is necessary to heat it 
to the boiling point, 212° F., and to keep it there twenty 
minutes. How does this differ from pasteurized milk ^ 
All active bacteria of disease are destroyed, but the 
boiled milk is not quite so good a food as the pasteur- 
ized or pure raw milk. The taste of sterilized milk is 
not quite so pleasant. Taste it and see. It may 
cause constipation, too, if given for a long period. 

The Care of the Bottles is Important! 

It is very important to keep baby's bottles clean. 

Much disease is caused because of dirty bottles and 
nipples. It is very important to have as many bottles 
as there are feedings in twenty-four hours, and to have 
a time each morning after baby is asleep when bottles 
can be washed and sterilized, and the milk prepared 
for feedings. Immediately after each feeding, rinse 
the empty bottle with cold water. Fill with borax 
water to stand until next morning, when you sterilize 
all at once. Buy bottles which are round, smooth. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



185 



plain, and easily cleansed. (See Fig. 120.) Bottles 

with tubes are very bad, for they provide a good place 

for germs to grow. Buy 

plain nipples. After use 

turn them inside out, scrub 

thoroughly with soapsuds, 

and rinse. Let them stand 

covered in a cup of water in 

which a small amount of bo- 

racic acid has been dissolved. 

Make a fresh solution every 

other day. (See Fig. 122.) 

The hole in the nipple should 

not be too large nor too 

small. 

to barely see through it. 

If too large, the milk will come too quickly. 

nipples should be boiled for five minutes. 

When ready to wash the bottles which have collected 
during twenty-four hours, empty the borax water. 
Wash the bottles with a brush in hot soapsuds. Rinse 
in hot water and boil for twenty minutes. 





One should be able Fig 120. -These bottles are round 

and smooth and easily cleansed. 



New 



EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 



1. If you can, visit the cow furnishing your baby's milk. Is the 
stable clean ? Is baby's milk handled as you have learned in this 
chapter that it should be ? 

2. Visit the dairy if there is one near. Perhaps your teacher will 
take the class. 



1 86 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

3 . Try at home if you cannot at school, to 

a. Pasteurize some milk. 

b. Sterilize some milk. 
Notice the difference in taste, if any. 

4. Try to wash baby sister's or brother's bottles at home in the 
way you have learned at school. 

5. How many uses can you give for boracic acid .? 



Lesson 6 

SOME THINGS TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHILE PREPARING BABY's 

MILK 

When it is impossible for a mother to nurse a baby it is neces- 
sary to give the baby a substitute. (See Lesson 5.) 

Few babies can take cow's milk just as it is, because 
it is different from mother's milk, and causes digestive 
troubles. Baby would be sick, cross, and restless, 
and would not grow, if he took the milk as it is. Conse- 
quently, cow's milk must be changed so that baby can 
digest it. This is called modifying the milk. Cow's 
milk is richer in protein than mother's milk ; so it is 
necessary to dilute it. As diluted cow's milk will 
not give baby enough food, it is necessary to add 
sugar, called milk sugar, to make it more nutritious. 
You have already learned the composition of cow's 
milk. Cow's milk contains about the same amount of 
fat as human milk ; but when we dilute it, it has less 
fat than human milk. Sometimes adding sugar makes 
it rich enough ; at other .times the baby needs more fat. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 187 

Richer milk must then be used for dilution ; that is, 
milk with a higher per cent of fat. Remember, you 
are trying to change cow's milk so that baby can 
digest it, and at the same time trying to give him enough 
food to supply fuel, as well as building material. 
He is growing as well as exercising, and so he needs 
both fuel and building material. 

Consult the doctor about the best food for baby. A 
doctor should be consulted and his advice followed. He 
will tell just how to change the cow's milk. Each baby 
is an individual and will need his own formula ; that 
is, the prescription or directions for making the modi- 
fied milk. 

Some famous physicians and others who are interested 
in the welfare of little babies have worked out formulas 
for preparing babies' food, showing how much of each 
ingredient to put in for different ages, in order to modify 
the cow's milk. A physician should be asked about 
this for your baby, as the amounts must sometimes 
vary. Not all babies are normal ; and the formulas 
given in the next lesson for baby's calendar are for a 
normal well baby. 

There are laboratories in some cities which make a 
business of preparing modified milk for babies according 
to doctors' formulas. Great care is taken of the cows 
at these laboratory farms so as to keep them well, and 
great attention is given to the cleanliness of all uten- 
sils used in the preparation of the milk. This is very 
important, because dirt is very dangerous. It causes 



i88 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



dysentery, diarrhea, and other troubles which sometimes 
mean loss of the baby's life. 

In preparing baby's milk, be sure that all your uten- 
sils are clean and not used for anything but the prepa- 
ration of baby's food. First of all, clean hands and 




Courtesy of the Walker-Gordon Laboratory. 
Fig. 121. — This shows a laboratory where milk for babies is being prepared. 

table, clean bottles, nipples, and utensils should be 
ready to begin with. Look at the picture (Fig. 122). It 
tells some of the things one needs. The measuring glass 
is quite necessary. It is marked showing the number 
of ounces. How many ounces are there in a pint ^ 

If you have milk from your own farm, you should 
be sure it is pure before you begin to modify it for 
baby's use. (See last lesson.) Take good, rich, 
whole milk which has from four to five per cent of fat. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 189 

Be sure it is well mixed. If you have a cool place to 
keep the milk, you can prepare the feedings in the 
morning, from the milk of the night before, and modify 
enough to last for the six or seven feedings during the 
day. We shall study in our next lesson about how to 
modify the cow's milk and what baby's calendar of 
food should be, during his first year. 



Courtesy of Woman's Home Companion. 
Fig. 122. — Notice the utensils necessary for preparing baby's milk. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. What is meant by modifying cow's milk for baby ? What are 
the directions for modifying it called ? 

2. How does cow's milk differ from mother's milk ? Why must 
cow's milk be changed ? 

3. What are some of the dangers from dirty milk ? From dirty 
utensils .? 

Lesson 7 

HOW TO MODIFY BABY's MILK 

See if you can follow carefully the directions given for modifying 
baby's milk. 

Put into a pitcher the necessary ounces of whole, 
well-mixed milk, according to the formula to be used. 



190 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



If cream has risen upon the milk, mix it by pouring 
into a clean recently scalded pitcher and back into the 
milk bottle two or three times. Add the milk sugar, 
which has been dissolved in boiling water. Then add 
the quantity of boiled water required. Mix well and 
divide quantity in bottles according to the number 

of feedings and ounces re- 
quired for each day. 

Place a cotton stopper in 
each bottle and put in a cool 
place. See picture of bottles 
with stoppers (Fig. 122). 
The stand holding them is 
convenient. The bottles 
must not stand uncovered. 
At feeding time, place the 
bottle in hot water to heat. 
Before giving to baby, test 
heat on the inside of the wrist so as not to burn baby's 
mouth. It is absolutely necessary to have as many 
bottles as there are feedings and to fill all at once 
at the daily preparation time. Can you think why 
this is essential ? What happens to milk when it 
stands ^ 

The American Medical Association has published a 
pamphlet called " Save the Babies." The famous 
physicians who have written it have saved many 
babies. They tell how to plan for feeding the baby 
during the first year when whole milk from the cow is 




Fig. 123. 



The right way to test 
baby's milk. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 191 

used. Cow's milk is the very best food when mother's 
milk cannot be obtained, but it must be diluted 
according to baby's age and digestion. Patented 
foods should not be used, unless recommended by a 
physician. 

Baby's Calendar of Food.^ 

Scheme for whole milk feeding during the first year. 

First day of his life : Only water. i ounce every 4 hours. 

Second, jd, and 4th days: 3 ounces of milk, 7 ounces of water, 2 
level teaspoonfuls of milk sugar ; divide into 7 feedings. 

Fifth to yth days: 4 ounces of milk, 8 ounces of water, 3 teaspoon- 
fuls of milk sugar ; divide into 7 feedings. 

Eighth day to end of jd month: Begin with 5 ounces of milk, 10 
ounces of water, and ij tablespoonfuls of milk sugar; increase 
the milk by J ounce every four days, and the water by J ounce 
every eight days ; the milk sugar by J tablespoonful every 2 
weeks. Thus, on the i6th day take 6 ounces of milk, loj ounces 
of water, 2 tablespoonfuls of milk sugar ; divide into 7 feedings ; 
on the 20th day increase the milk to 6| ounces, using io| ounces 
of water and 2 tablespoonfuls of milk sugar as before. 

Beginning of the 4th month to end 6th month: At the end of the third 
month the baby will be getting approximately 16 ounces of 
milk, 16 ounces of water, and 4^ tablespoonfuls of milk sugar, 
divided into 6 feedings. Now increase the milk by § ounce 
every 6 days, reduce the water by J ounce every 2 weeks, using 
4J tablespoonfuls of milk sugar per day. If the food does not 
digest readily, barley water may be used instead of the plain 
water. It is made by cooking J tablespoonful of barley flour 
in the water for 20 minutes and cooling before adding to the milk. 

^ Adapted from Holt & Shaw's Save the Babies, by Mrs. Mary Swartz 
Rose, Teachers College, Columbia University. 



192 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Beginning of the yth month to end of gth month : At the end of the 6th 
month the baby will be receiving about 24 ounces of milk, 12 
ounces of water, and 4J tablespoonfuls of milk sugar daily, di- 
vided into 5 feedings. Now increase the milk by | ounce every 
week, reduce the water by | ounce every 2 weeks, and reduce the 
milk sugar to 3 tablespoonfuls per day. Midway between two 
of the morning feedings, give from one to two tablespoonfuls of 
strained orange juice. This helps to keep the bowels in good con- 
dition and serves as a safeguard against scurvy when pasteurized 
milk is fed exclusively. If barley flour has not been used earlier, 
it may be advantageously introduced during this period, cook- 
ing I J tablespoonfuls of the flour with the water for the day and 
gradually increasing to 3 tablespoonfuls. 

Beginning loth month to end of 12th month : At the end of the 9th 
month the child will be receiving about 30 ounces of milk, 8 
ounces of water cooked with 3 tablespoonfuls of barley flour, 3 
tablespoonfuls of milk sugar, given in 5 feedings, and from i to 2 
tablespoonfuls of orange juice between two morning meals. Now 
increase the milk i ounce per month, decrease the milk sugar 
I tablespoonful per month, and add barley gruel made with 3 
tablespoonfuls of barley flour cooked in 8 ounces of water. Con- 
tinue the use of orange juice, which may be increased to 3 table- 
spoonfuls if the bowels are not loose. After one feeding the soft 
yolk of an egg may be fed warm, with a spoon, or a small piece 
of stale bread crust be given to chew. No other foods should be 
given during the first year. 

From this scheme you can see how very careful 
one should be to increase baby's food gradually, so he 
will have all the necessary food for body building and 
exercise. 

Very often babies are given too much food. A 
baby's stomach is very tiny at birth, and cannot hold 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



193 




-=->'] 



.=^'S 



IS very im- 



much. Overfeeding is the cause of many digestive trou- 
bles. (See Fig. 124.) When the feedings are irregu- 
lar, baby's stomach cannot take care of so much. Do 
you see now why it is necessary to feed 
him on schedule time ? 

One can tell if the milk is agreeing 
with baby. He will sleep quietly and 
his disposition will be good. There 
will be no vomiting and he will have 
a good appetite. The stools will be 
normal, yellow in color, soft and smooth 
with no lumps. If baby is gaining 
from 4 to 8 ounces a week, the food 
is agreeing with him. It 
portant to weigh him regu- 
larly. If he does not gaiUj 
consult a physician at once. 

As the food is changed 
from time to time and 
strengthened, baby may 
be upset by it at first. If 
baby does not become 
accustomed to the new food and is not able to digest it 
in a few days, it is wise to give baby the weaker food 
he has been taking and to try again, making the in- 
crease more gradually. If he is very sick, it may be 
necessary to stop all food and give only boiled water 
until the doctor comes. If he is only slightly sick, 
it may be necessary to reduce his food. This can be 



■^1 



Fig, 124. — An eight-ounce bottle and a 
cup showing how much baby's stomach 
will hold at about one month of age. 



194 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

done by shaking the bottle of prepared, modified milk, 
pouring off one third or one half, and filling with boiled 
water. This can be given until he feels better. 

You will have noticed that baby's milk increases in 
quantity and proportion as he grows older, and that 
the food is changed gradually. By the time he is a 
year or 14 months old, whole cow's milk can be given. 
Let him take it from a cup which he should learn to 
hold. 

When the baby is about 9 months to i year old, it 
is wise to begin to wean him from the bottle and to 
give him the bottle only at the night feeding. His 
modified milk taken from a cup will be his principal 
food, but baby should begin to eat a few other things. 
We shall learn what and how to prepare some of them. 
Be very sure in feeding baby from a cup that he gets 
the milk ; often it is spilled on the bib or floor. The 
weaning of baby from mother's milk should be done 
after advice from the doctor. It is usually done by 
beginning when the baby is 9 or 10 months old, to 
substitute some modified cow's milk for a breast feed- 
ing. This is done only once a day at first, but is 
gradually increased until baby is used to going with- 
out the breast feeding. It is unwise to wean the baby 
during the summer months. Many deaths are caused 
because mothers do not understand when and how to 
wean the baby. 

Baby begins an3rwhere from 6 to 10 months, some- 
times before that, to get his teeth. If he is well and 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 195 

properly fed, the teeth will be white and strong. The 
front teeth come first. Great care should be taken of 
baby's teeth as he grows, for decayed teeth cause 
sickness. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. With teacher's help see if you can prepare the feedings for one 
day for a baby 7 days old, who must take modified cow's milk. 
Use the formula given. 

2. How can one tell if baby's food is agreeing with him ? 

3. What does weaning the baby mean ^ 



Lesson 8 

other foods during the first year 

What are some of the other foods which can be given to baby 
during his first year ? How should they be prepared ? 

There are really very few things which baby should 
have in addition to his mother's milk or the modified 
cow's milk, during his first year. 

Orange juice can be given to baby when he is 7 
months old, — from one to two tablespoonfuls of 
strained orange juice midway between two morning 
feedings daily. Do not give any pulp, only the juice. 
This is to prevent constipation, and the possibility of 
scurvy, if heated milk is used ; and to provide iron for 
him. 

Barley water. Mix one level tablespoon of barley 
flour with a little cold water. Add to one pint of 



196 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

boiling water. Cook in double boiler twenty minutes. 
Strain. Add enough boiling water to make a pint. This 
can be added to the modified milk according to formula. 

Barley gruel is given to promote digestion, and to add 
food value to the diet. To prepare : 

Soak the barley over night. Cook in the same 
water in double boiler for four hours. About one pint 
of water remains. Strain. When cold this will be 
thick like a jelly. 

This can be added to the modified milk or given once a 
day when baby is 8 or 10 months old, instead of mother's 
milk. Two or three tablespoonfuls of this well-cooked, 
strained cereal can be given as the substitute. 

Dried bread may be given to baby to chew when he 
is 10 months old. To prepare : Cut bread in thin 
slices. Put in oven with door open. Dry quickly until 
crisp but not brown. Give this once a day. 

Egg yolk. When baby is 10 months old the yolk of 
an egg may be given once a day as part of one feeding. 
Warm the egg yolk and feed to him with a spoon. 

This is not a long list of foods to learn to prepare, but 
it is the best list with milk during baby's first year. 
Nothing else should be given without a physician's 
advice. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Make some barley gruel at school. Perhaps you can cook it 
in the fireless cooker. 

2. Make a list of the only foods baby should eat during his first 
year. Why should not other foods be given ? 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 197 

Lesson 9 

what kind of clothing should baby wear ? 

Baby must be dressed according to the weather. In summer the 
clothing must not be too warm, and in winter he must be well pro- 
tected. He is very sensitive to cold or heat. 

Summer clothing for baby. In summer what should 
we remember ^ The baby should be clothed lightly, 
especially at mid- 



day. In the early , 


- 


X 


morning when it is ( 


'% 


V 


cooler or towards 


r 




evening, outer gar- 






ments should be 




X 


put on. Do not 


'\„ \ 




put on so many 






clothes that baby 




\ 


will perspire. Cloth- 




ing is worn in order 




1- ' - 


to keep the body 






temperature or heat 






uniform. In very 




^.:X^. 



W a rrn W eatherit ^y permission 0/ woman's Home Companion. 

mav be necessarv to ^^^" ^^^" — ^ wrapper for cool mornings or 

•^ -^ evenings. 

remove all the cloth- 
ing except the shirt band and diaper, and sometimes 
to remove all while a cool sponge is given. 

Winter clothes. In winter more clothes are neces- 
sary, especially when baby goes out on a cold day : a 



198 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



warm cap, a long woolen coat to turn up over his toes 
so as to make a kind of bag, and woolen mittens. On 
very cold days an extra sweater or sacque should be 
worn under his coat. 

A baby's clothing should always be clean. Soiled 
garments should be removed at once. Diapers should 
never be used a second time before washing. 





A B 

By permission of Best & Co. 

Fig. 126. — Two good-style flannel petticoats. 
A is without a waist and hangs from the shoulders. 5 is a simple style with waist. 

All clothing should be light in weight and loose, 
with nothing to prevent the free use of abdomen, 
limbs, or chest. The weight of the clothing should be 
from the shoulders, and with as few buttons as possible. 
As the baby outgrows his clothes, it is necessary for 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 199 

his comfort to make them larger. Baby should not 
be dressed for show but for comfort. The clothing 
should be plain and simple. 

This is what nurse will put on, after washing, a wee 
baby a month old : 

1. First a band around the abdomen. This band to be 18 inches 
in length X 7 inches wide (Fig. 127). This is made of a strip of 
flannel which has not been hemmed. It is fastened with sewing 
stitches. This band is to protect and to support the walls of the 
abdomen. Can you tear off a piece of flannel, 18 inches with the 
warp, and 7 inches with the woof or filling threads ? Care must be 
taken not to have the band too snug, as it will cut the flesh or make 
baby vomit. As baby grows older, at about three or four months of 
age, this snug band can be replaced by a knitted band which can be 
bought ready made. These knitted bands can be worn until two or 
three years of age or longer if baby is not well. The knitted band 
has shoulder straps and a little tab in front at the bottom to pin to 
the diaper, and so keeps the abdomen well protected (Fig. 127). 

2. The shirt is next, and should be made of cotton and wool, or 
silk and wool. This garment should have long sleeves, and is put on 
over the band (Fig. 127). 

3. Then the diapers. These are made of 18-inch cotton birds- 
eye. Linen is too cold. Cut 18 inches long and hem so as to have 
squares. Two dozen will be enough for a while. If you do not know 
what cotton birdseye material is, see Clothing and Health, page 62. 
Wee babies sometimes have diapers made of cheesecloth ; it is very 
soft, you know. As baby grows it will be necessary to make diapers 
of 22-inch birdseye. Cut them square. Can you bring samples to 
school of cheesecloth and cotton birdseye and show the width and 
cost ? 

4. After this, baby's petticoat is put on (Fig. 126). This is of 
flannel. When he is very young the cotton skirt is unnecessary. 



200 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



The petticoats, dresses, and^ slips should not be more than 27 
inches from the shoulder to the bottom. Cotton and wool flannel 
is better than all wool. It is not so heavy or warm and does not 
shrink so easily in washing. Why ? (See Clothing and Health, 
page 204.) 






By permission of Best & Co. 

Fig. 127. — Notice the bands of flannel, the knitted bands with tabs, and 
the little shirts which come with both long and short sleeves. 



5. Baby's dress or slip is then put on. Never slip the garments 
over the head of a young baby, but over the feet. In cool weather 
a wrapper of flannel opened down the front, or a sacque, and little 
knitted bootees can be added. When he goes outdoors, a loose cloak 
and cap, and, in winter, mittens are needed. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 201 

Clothing for six months of age. Baby's clothes are 
shortened at about six months. He should then wear 
long stockings fastened to the diapers with small 
safety pins, until he is old enough to wear waists and 
garters. If baby is delicate he should wear long 
stockings from birth, or if he is a winter baby it is 
wise to protect his legs in this way rather than with 
only bootees. The legs must be kept warm and the 
body heat preserved, because the blood is feeblest 
in the legs and the blood circulation not so good in the 
joints of the knees and lower parts of legs. Many 
mothers put short cotton socks on baby instead of 
long stockings of cotton and wool. Perhaps they do 
not know about this, nor realize that baby's body 
heat must be saved, so he will grow and his organs 
operate properly. The body temperature should be 
98.5° F. The body, you have learned, is a great machine 
which needs fuel and gives off energy and heat. In 
grown people who are not sick, one fourth of the body 
heat generated is used by the body, and three fourths 
is given off by the skin, but in young children the 
power which controls giving off heat is not perfectly 
developed, so their body temperature varies, and care 
must be taken that the body does not give off too 
much heat. Many babies are sick because their skin 
is subjected to such sudden changes of heat and cold, 
and their bodies are not sufficiently covered. Usually 
about 20 per cent only of the surface of our body should 
be uncovered. When socks are put on baby 30-40 per 



202 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



cent is exposed, and so baby loses the heat needed. 
Socks should be used only in the very warmest weather, 
when baby's skin needs to lose heat. 

Have you heard that the body of a grown person gives 




By permission of Best & Co. 

Fig. 128. — Some simple slips which can be used for both night and day wear 
until baby is put in short clothes. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 203 

off 50 ounces of water through the skin each day ? 
Our clothing collects some of this and some is evap- 
orated as it comes in contact with the air. Do you 
see how necessary it is to keep the baby's body clean 
so the pores may act properly ? If the skin is not 
clean and if too cold to send out this water through the 
skin, then the kidneys have to do the work and baby 
becomes sick because those organs are overtaxed. 

Because of this water and heat given off by the body 
every day, it is wise to study materials and to know 
which to wear next to the body. 

For baby, wool is considered best for his shirt and 
band and stockings, or half wool and silk, or half wool 
and half cotton mixture. These materials, wool, 
silk, cotton, and linen, have different properties ; 
and these properties assist in retarding or conducting 
heat from the body. Wool and silk protect, and do 
not conduct heat rapidly ; wool fibers are short and 
curly, and when loosely woven allow air spaces between 
the loose fibers. This air holds the heat because 
still air does not conduct rapidly. The layer of air 
held by the loose wool fibers helps to keep the body 
warm. Cotton and silk do not have these curly fibers. 
(See Clothing and Health, page 205.) Wool absorbs 
moisture readily, so some of the body water and oil 
secreted is taken up. Because of this it is necessary 
for wool to be properly cleansed. 



204- THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Make a scrap book or put in your school notebook pictures of 
the proper articles of clothing for baby. You can cut these from the 
catalogue. 

2. Which fibers are best for baby's underwear ? Why ? 

3. Bring some samples of cotton cheesecloth, cotton birdseye 
and linen birdseye material. How are they used for baby .? 

Lesson 10 

SHALL WE MAKE OR BUY BABY's CLOTHING ? HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ? 

Mother's time is very valuable, and there are so many things for 
her to do that little time is left to sew for baby. It may be a saving 
of time and money if she buys the clothing ready made. 

Shall mother make baby's clothing? The clothes 
may not wash or wear so well, but mother must decide 
whether her time must be spent in sewing or otherwise. 
Many garments can be bought of good materials, 
well made and simple in style. We must learn to 
know good materials. It is foolish to make all things 
at home, such as suits for boys, waists, pajamas, or 
rompers for baby. Every year the stores are offering 
better garments. Home-made things cost less, if one has 
time to make them, and usually give better satisfaction. 
We must learn to select materials that will not fade, 
which will be durable and wash well. Every mother 
or big sister loves to make some of baby's clothing. 
Patterns are easy to follow. We shall learn how. 

Can you not write to some large department store in 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



205 



a city near and ask for a catalogue of clothing for 
baby ? You will learn the latest styles. Perhaps 
you need some clothing for the baby at your home, 
and your teacher will show you how to make out an 
order slip so as to send for the right sizes. Molly 





Fig. 129. 



By permission of Woman's Home Companion. 
A petticoat and dress very easily made. 



Stark's mother let her send for some for her baby 
brother. 

One can spend a great deal of money for baby's 
clothing, but this is not necessary. Simple, plain 
clothing is easier to keep clean and costs less to buy 
or make. The amount and kind you select from the 
catalogue, if you cannot go to a store to buy, will de- 
pend on the amount of money available. 

This is a list of things the tiny new baby will need, 
at their approximate cost. The dress might be omitted 
to reduce cost. The slips are used both for day and 



2o6 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

night wear while he is very young, and dresses need not 
be bought until later if one cannot afford them. Look 
up the word *' approximate " in the school dictionary. 
What does it mean .? The second list shows the differ- 
ence in cost if some of these things are made at home. 

If bought ready made. 

3 flannel bands ^0.60 

3 knitted bands with shoulder straps .90 

12 diapers hemmed .80 

3 shirts, cotton and wool 1.35 

2 flannel skirts 2.40 

3 plain night slips . 1.20 

I dress . . . i.oo 

1 flannel or knitted sacque . . . .50 

2 pairs bootees .30 

2 flannelette wrappers i.oo 

Total ^10.05 

If some articles are home made. 

3 flannel bands (home made) ^0.37 

3 knitted bands with shoulder straps .90 

cotton diapering by piece 10 yds. to be hemmed at home, 

will make 20 instead of 12. 18 in. wide .60 

3 shirts, cotton and wool . . . . . 1.35 

2 flannel skirts (home made) 1.60 

3 night slips (home made) .90 

I dress (home made) -75 

1 flannel sacque (home made) .40 

2 pairs bootees (home made) .20 

2 flannelette wrappers (home made) .60 

Total $7-^7 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 



207 




By permission of Best & Co. 
Fig. 130. — Some mittens, bonnets, and shoes which baby will need. 




By permission of Best <& Co. 



Fig. 131. — Some cloaks for baby. 



208 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Extra garments, such as cloak and hood and stock- 
ings, will be needed later. This is about the price of 
simple ones : 



Cloak 


$2.50 to 5.00 


Silk bonnet .... 


75 to 2.00 


Cap of worsted . . . 


• • . 48 


Mittens 


25 


Long stockings . . . 
1 • 1 • -1 


25 to .75 

r • 1 1*1 • 



a pair according to kind of material ; wool is the most expensive. 

It will not be long before baby will need shoes. It 
is very important to buy the right kind. It is neces- 
sary to buy soft soles at first when he begins to creep. 
Shoes should be chosen with broad toes and straight 
soles which fit the shape of the foot. Low shoes are 
pretty before he walks, but not enough support when he 
stands alone. A good laced shoe of right kind can be 
bought for $1.00 or ^1.25. Baby's feet should be kept 
dry. Change his shoes if he runs out in the yard and 
gets them wet. Wet feet cause much sickness. 



EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 



1. From a catalogue of baby clothing see how many necessary 
articles it is possible to buy for $5.00; for $10.00. Make a list. 

2. How many can you buy for $5.00, if you make some of them 
at home ^ 



CHILD WELFARE 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 209 

Lesson ii 

the normal healthy baby is a joy 

What we have learned about baby. 

So we have learned many things which Marjorie 
Allen can do to help her Aunt Sarah. How busy she 
will be ; bathing Baby 
Julia, preparing her food, 
washing her clothes, and 
sewing for her. How 
happy Marjorie will feel 
if she is well and strong 
because of this good care. 
In the picture you will 
see the babies are like 
little growing flowers. 
When not cared for, they 
droop their heads. They 
need much attention like 
your garden bed and seeds, 
in order to grow well. It 
pays to keep baby well. These are some of the many 
things to remember : , 

1. Marjorie will not let people play with baby as if she were 
a toy. 

2. Flies will be kept away, as they carry disease. 

3. Baby will be kept aw^ay from all sick people. People with 
coughs or colds, holding baby, can give her the cold. 

4. No kissing on baby's mouth. 




Courtesy of Chicago Tribune. 

Fig. 132. — Babies are like flowers in your 
garden bed. See what this picture tells. 



210 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



5. No pacifiers, candy, bananas, patent medicines, soothing 
syrups, sucking of thumb or nipples of empty bottles. 

6. Marjorie will not put baby's bottle in her own mouth to test 
its heat. She will try a drop on the inside of the wrist. 

7. No sneezing in baby's food or face. 

8. Baby will have a bath every day unless sick. 

9. Baby will sleep outdoors as much as possible. Baby needs to 
have much sleep and to be kept warm. She needs, also, much sun- 
shine and fresh air. Never per- 
mit the intense sunshine to glare 
into baby's uncovered eyes. 

10. Baby is to have regu- 
lar habits for sleeping, feed- 
ing, and bathing. 

11. Baby should be weighed 
every week or two to see if 
she is gaining. A normal baby 
weighs 7 to 7J pounds at birth ; 
1 5 pounds at 5 or 6 months ; 21 
pounds at 12 months. So she is 
then three times as heavy as 
when born. She should gain 
about 4 to 8 ounces weekly. 

12. A normal baby measures 20-21 inches when born; 26 inches 
at 6 months; 29 inches at 12 months. 

13. Baby should begin to walk from about the I4-I7th month. 

14. At 12 months baby should begin to say words; and to say 
short sentences by 24th or 30th month. 

15. Baby's birth should be registered by your doctor. It often 
saves much trouble when she is grown and means positively she is a 
citizen of her country. 

16. Baby's bowels should move every day. Convulsions are 
caused by failure to remove the waste from the body. 

17. Ask your doctor about vaccination for baby. 




Fig. 133. 
germs 



Flies and mosquitoes carry 
Protect baby from them. 



THE CARE OF THE BABY 211 

18. Rocking, tossing, tickling are bad for baby's nervous system. 

19. Write with teacher's help to your state Agricultural Col- 
lege. Ask about the Baby Contests. See if your baby answers all 
the requirements. She may win a prize. They will send you a 
score card. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Have you a baby at home ? See how many of the above rules 
for keeping him well you are obeying. 

2. Send to the Agricultural College of your state for a score card. 
Perhaps your baby brother may enter the contest. 

3. Try to plan a Baby Contest at your schoolhouse. Perhaps one 
of the teachers from the Agricultural College will come to be judge. 



REVIEW PROBLEMS 

I. Have you a baby at your house ? What can you do to make 
your baby sister or brother happy, and to keep baby well ? 

n. Try to plan with your teacher's help for a Baby Contest. 
Celebrate Baby Week. The National Child Welfare Society, New 
York, will send you literature which will help. 




CHAPTER V 

ONE MUST BE WELL AND HAPPY IN ORDER TO 
ENJOY THE HOME WHICH ONE HAS PLANNED. 
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THIS? 

We have learned how to make home attractive, and 
how to clean and care for the house in the best way. 
We have learned how to cook and to sew, but we 
have not learned how the person doing all these things 
is to plan so as to get the most out of her life, and to 
give the most. One must be well and happy in order 
to live well and to enjoy the home which has been 
planned. Have you thought about this ? Do you 
know that your body, the real house in which you 
live, must be made attractive, must be kept clean, and 
its management must be so planned that one thinks 
in the right way and is happy ? Bodies like houses must 



212 



KEEPING WELL 213 

be managed. Do you know that it is possible to make 
real plans for living so as to be happy ? Miss James 
told the Pleasant Valley girls and boys all about this too. 

Some people believe that life is to be lived selfishly, 
but those who get the most out of life know that it is 
through giving of one's self that one gets, and that 
there are duties towards the family and those in the 
world about us to be considered. As one grows older, 
one has a desire to be of service in the world. Law- 
yers, physicians, preachers, artists, musicians, teachers, 
girls, and boys all have a chance to give of their 
talents to the world about them. Can you name 
some great citizens, lawyers, physicians, or others 
who were not professional people, who have rendered 
great social service to the world ^ Can you think of 
some women who have done great good ^ You know 
about Mrs. Ellen H. Richards ^ You can read the 
story of her life. It is very interesting, and shows 
how one young girl planned to serve the world. It is 
largely because of Mrs. Richards that you have this 
study of homemaking in your school to-day. Are 
you not glad ? Do you celebrate Ellen H. Richards 
Day at your school.? It is December 3, — her birth- 
day. As you know, the League girls of Pleasant Valley 
had a party when they completed furnishing the house ; 
perhaps you can plan such a celebration. 

Here are some of the things which Miss James told 
the boys and girls will help one to make plans for hap- 
piness : 



214 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Work Plenty of pure water 

Pleasure Plenty of sunshine 

Rest Plenty of air 

Exercise Plenty of pleasant thoughts 

Cleanliness Having something to give 

Proper food 

Proper clothing 

Would you like to learn some things which you can 
do so as to make the most of each day and to make 
your life one which will be efficient and helpful ? Do 
you not think that it is our duty to keep ourselves in 
health and happiness so that we may do our share of 
the world's work ? We shall study some of the ways 
we can help. 

Lesson i , 

planning for twenty-four hours 

Do you ever stop to think that there are twenty-four hours in 
every day ? Are you planning to spend them to the best advantage ? 
Have you thought that one must plan wisely each day in order to be 
well and happy ? 

Jane Andrews, who lived at Pleasant Valley, became 
so interested in planning her days that she decided to 
make a kind of clock and each day to block it off, show- 
ing how she had spent her time. The first day her 
clock looked like Fig. 134. Can you discover what is 
the trouble with this day ? Another day looked like 
Fig. 135 ; it was Saturday. 

Jane was troubled because Miss James had told the 



KEEPING WELL 



215 



girls that " all work and no play makes Jack (or Jill) 
a dull boy," and that each day should be so planned 



The Day- 

iV Hour? 



The Day- 

2V Hour? 



3leep 




.Work 



Sleep 




,WokK 



I>on't Remember. 
What I t>I^. 

Fig. 134. — This is Jane Andrews' 
clock, showing how she spent 
her day. 



G01N& To 
Village 

Fig. 135. — This is the way- 
Jane divided her time another 
day. 



The Day- 

2V HouR^ 



that there is time for the right amount of rest, of pleasure, 
and of exercise, as well as for work. So Jane tried again 
to plan with these thoughts 
in mind. 

Figure 136 shows how she 
divided her clock another day. 
Eight or nine hours for sleep 
or rest. Half an hour of this 
rest was taken in the after- 
noon, when she returned from 
school and rested herself in 
the big chair while reading 
a good magazine story. This was pleasure too. Six 
hours were spent at school, at work (9-12 a.m. and 
1-4 P.M.). Two hours were for exercise, one in 




Exercise 
Home Sfut"/" 

Fig. 136. — This is the division 
of time Jane enjoyed the most. 



2i6 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

walking briskly to and from school, a mile and a 
half each way, and the second hour for tennis. 
This was pleasure as well as exercise, for she enjoyed 
playing on Sadie White's tennis court. Then she spent 
two hours studying her lessons at home, which made 
the work hours about eight. Two hours were spent 
at meals. She also helped mother about two hours 
that day : an hour in the morning attending to her 
own room and mother's, and preparing the lunches for 
the children to take to school, and again at supper time 
when she helped prepare supper and wash the dishes. 
The other two hours were spent at Marjorie's home 
early in the evening, for Marjorie had invited some of 
the girls and boys in for games until 9 o'clock. Have 
you ever tried to make a clock for your day ^ Jane dis- 
covered that her days varied, but that the fundamental 
principles must be kept in mind in order to keep well 
and happy. Miss James says that everybody should 
keep these ideas in mind each day, older people as 
well as school girls, if they wish to keep well. They 
are these : 

I. Sleep or Rest. Every growing girl or boy from 
12-15 years of age needs 8-10 hours of the day for 
sleep. Do you realize that the body uses up its food 
and the tissues wear out ? Some of these tissues are 
replaced by nature while we sleep. The tiny cell 
builders of our bodies work then and repair the body 
for its work next day. Many boys and girls who do 
not have enough sleep become ill because nature does 



> 



KEEPING WELL 217 

not have this opportunity to restore the waste of their 
bodies. Their nervous systems are disturbed and all 
kinds of headaches, nervous diseases, and unpleasant 
things result, which prevent one from being well or 
happy. Did you ever notice baby brother ? He grows 
very rapidly because he sleeps so much. Are you 
keeping your house in good repair or are you letting 
it run down t 

This sleep or rest should be taken in a quiet, dark 
room which is well ventilated. The picture on page 
171 shows how to open the window. Why is this cir- 
culation of air necessary ? The body tissues store up 
oxygen while we sleep. When we are active during 
the day, we use up that store. Can you see now why 
we should have as much fresh air as possible at night } 
Many modern houses are built with sleeping porches 
because people are beginning to realize the importance 
of plenty of fresh air at night. It is better to sleep in 
a dark room, too. Any ray of light stimulates the 
brain. Do not sleep with a light in your room if you 
wish your body to repair itself at night. Noise is also 
a disturber of sleep. The nerve centers are irritated 
by the sound, and the body is less able to do its duty 
next day. Many girls are not well and are not pre- 
pared for their day's work because they sleep in a 
*' stuffy '* room, and next day are dull and languid. 
Have you heard of the white plague ? It is the name for 
a dreadful disease called tuberculosis. Many boys and 
girls contract this disease because they sleep in poorly 



2l8 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



ventilated rooms, with those who have it. Country 
people as well as city people often have this dreadful 
disease. It is sometimes cured, when taken in time. 




Courtesy of J. B. Lyons & Co. 
Fig. 137. — A sleeping porch is a kind of life insurance. 

by the fresh air treatment, — living and sleeping out- 
doors. It is safer and better to prevent this by always 
having plenty of air, day and night. With proper bed 
coverings to protect, no one should be afraid to sleep 



KEEPING WELL 



219 



with the windows open top and bottom, even on the 
coldest winter nights. Night air is all the air we have 
and will hurt no one. Sleep in a flannelette gown, and 
have some warm slippers near. In summer the same 
is true. One must have all the air one can get. Many 
babies become sickly little children because they have 
been deprived of plenty of air while growing. Fresh 
air is absolutely necessary 
for health. 

The clothing worn dur- 
ing the day should be 
aired at night, and the 
night clothing aired dur- 
ing the day. With your 
knowledge of textiles can 
you tell why ? 

Sometimes Jane dis- 
covered that some of her 
rest was taken during the afternoon, when she would 
throw herself on the couch for ten or fifteen minutes. 
This is a good thing for growing girls or for women to do. 
Relaxation of this kind is so helpful and restful that 
many women who are not very strong are able to ac- 
complish a great deal of work because of frequent rest 
periods during the day. For complete relaxation, 
close the eyes, lie flat on the back, and be absolutely 
quiet with all the muscles relaxed. Try also not even 
to think. This is a real gaining in time, for a tired 
woman is more able to go on if she will run away from 




Fig. 138. — This girl is learning to 
rest. 



220 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



her work for fifteen minutes and relax. It is an art to 
learn to relax and to rest, and is well worth while. Try 
to persuade your mother or aunt to try it when she is 
busy and tired. 

2. Work is the second principle which Miss James 
says must be kept in mind if one wishes to keep well. 

Every healthy person needs 
some work to do. Have 
you ever watched the birds 
at work, the squirrels, the 
ants, the bees ^ They all 
love to do the tasks which 
have been given them by 
nature. School girls have 
their studies and home 
duties as their work. 
Father has his farm work 
or the store or a profession. 
Mother has her work in 
caring for her family. 
Sometimes girls have other 
work outside of the home. 
When you have finished school, are you planning to 
stay at home and help mother, or are you going to work 
outside, or to prepare yourself for some life work until 
you decide to marry and have the work of homemaking ? 
Everybody must have some work to do in the world. It 
keeps one sane and sweet and happy. When there is 
joy in work, people are happiest. One's work can be 




Fig. 139. — This girl is learning the 
joy of work. 



KEEPING WELL 



221 



joyful when there is interest in it. Housework may be 
drudgery to some people who do not think about rest 
and pleasure too, in the daily plan. All girls who have 




Fig. 140. — Tennis or any outdoor game is pleasure and exercise too. 

Studied homemaking and understand the reasons for 
doing certain tasks and how, are intensely interested 
in their daily home work. Think of all the interesting 
things they studied, — the tiny yeast plant with its 
secrets of growth for breadmaking, and all the other 
interesting bacteria of good and bad kinds in our 



222 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

homes. How are we fighting them or using them to do 
our work ? Isn't it good fun to learn how ; and doesn't 
it make one's work much more interesting ? 

The person who can work outdoors is very fortunate, 
for he has the fresh air and the pure sunshine to help 
him. 

Girls should know how to earn some money, es- 
pecially if fathers cannot supply them with some for 
clothing and other necessary needs. There is great 
pleasure in working for one's own money. Some day 
we shall talk about some of the work girls can do in 
order to earn money, both at home and away from 
home. 

3. Pleasure. Miss James says pleasure is just as 
necessary as work if one is to keep well. - 

Every girl, in fact every person in the world, needs 
some pleasure as well as work and sleep during his day. 
Pleasure relieves the body of its working strain and 
enables it to resume its duties with a feeling of re- 
freshment. The change from the worries and strain 
which often accompany certain lines of -work, to some 
simple pleasure, has a marked effect on, the nervous 
system. The tension is relieved and the body is able 
to endure more because of this change from the strain 
of work. It is economical of working force to endeavor 
to take some pleasure each day. 

Pleasures are of many kinds and are taken in such 
different ways by different people. Sometimes they 
are in the form of exercise, as a game of tennis, or golf, 



KEEPING WELL 



223 



rowing, skating, skiing, or walking with a pleasant 
companion. Many of these simple pleasures cost noth- 
ing and are very beneficial, and count in two ways in 
one's day. 

Sometimes a good book, a chance to be quiet and to 
think or to read a mag- 
azine, are pleasures for 
some people. Again it 
may be a visit, a cup of 
tea at the home of a 
friend, a guest or two for 
a meal, or an evening 
party. Surprise birthday 
parties are great pleasure, 
and so are club meetings 
at one's home, or just a 
family gathering in the 
evening with a good story 
read aloud while mother 
sews or rests, or with 
music from the grapho- 
phone or pianola, — if no 

one of the family is musi- Fig. 141. — This is the way Barbara Cakes 

cally inclined. Many of ^'^'' '° '^^' ^'' p^'^'"'''- 

these simple pleasures cost thought but, as a rule, 
very little money. 

Picnics are good fun when two or three families join 
and go to the river or the mountain for a half day's or 
a day's outing. An auto ride is another diversion and, 




224 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



if each pays a share of the expense, such a pleasure 
taken occasionally is a great benefit. Do you know 
that some people make their budgets without thought 
of any money for pleasures ? Some day we shall 
study about this. Do you know what a budget is ? 
Miss James keeps a budget. It is her plan for spend- 




Courtesy of Mrs. D. S. Lansden. 
Fig. 142. — This Pleasant Valley family and their friends are off for a happy day. 

ing her money or income. She divides it in such a 
way that she gets the greatest amount of pleasure from 
her income. Many people live without plans for spend- 
ing. 

There are many pleasures which one finds in the towns 
or cities ; but often they cost more and are not any 
more enjoyable than the simple pleasures which can be 
enjoyed for less money. 



KEEPING WELL 



225 



Did you ever camp out? It is a great pleasure. 
The Alden family goes every summer for a week ; and, 
although they camp only three miles away from home, 
it seems as if they were hundreds of miles from Pleas- 
ant Valley, for the scenery is so different and the 
country so very wild (Fig. 143). Mr. Alden finds 




Courtesy oj Hanoum Camp for Girls, Thetford, Vt. 
Fig. 143. — The Aldens think this beautiful spot seems miles away from home. 

that he can get away from the store more easily during 
August than at any other time, although it seems as 
if he ought never to leave. Mrs. Alden thinks it is 
necessary for every one to have a short holiday, and so 
they plan for it. 



226 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



What a joy it is to get away, — the woods, the river, 
the stillness, and the stars, — how they all enjoy it ! 
And then just doing as they please is a pleasure. All 
wear their camp clothes. This costume is very'com- 




FiG. 144. — John Alden as he looked while at camp. 

fortable ; for the bloomers, skirts, and middy blouse 
permit freedom of action. John Alden insists on wear- 
ing his Indian suit (Fig. 144) which he wore at the 
Roger Williams pageant held at Pleasant Valley. He 



KEEPING WELL 227 

enjoys " making believe/' Mr. and Mrs. Alden built 
a small house in the woods several years ago and 
located it near a beautiful spring of pure water. One 




CouTlesy of Hanoum Camp for Girls, Thetford, Vt. 

Fig. 145. — The tent erected for May Alden's friends. All will enjoy it. 

must be very careful in choosing such a spot that the 
water is not polluted in any way. The house is very 
simple and really only a shelter ; but then they all 
like tot sleep outdoors part of the time. They send 
up by wagon their tent and food supplies. The tent is 



228 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



H 


HF 


fc 


^^1 


w 






jjF iHI^HIi^l^^^l 


^^_ 


jB^iiggJS^BBIgiite! 




^Hk^f' ^HHH 


H|Hk 


^IHi^^B^^ila 




h|^^^^h 


■^H^k.^^^1 


ilHHil 




hIH^B 



Courtesy of Hanoum Camp for Girls, Thetford, Vt. 

Fig. 146. — Mrs. Alden broils bacon in a pan. Notice the rack which supports 

the pan. 




Courtesy of Camp Fire Club. 

Fig. 147. — Bacon broiled on a forked stick over a fire tastes better than when 

broiled in a pan. 



KEEPING WELL 



229 



used by May Alden's friends, as she usually invites 
several of the Pleasant Valley girls to spend a night 
or two while the family is at camp. What fun it is ! 
The girls look as if they were having a very good time 
(Fig. 145). 
Mrs. Alden plans so as to have as little work to do 




Fig. 148. — Notice the arrangement of cinders and soil around the " Bean Hole." 

as possible, and gets the meals easily, for all help. Have 
you ever prepared breakfast in the early morning out 
of doors ? Bacon is certainly delicious in the early 
morning. In the picture Mrs. Alden is preparing it 
in the pan (Fig. 146) and Ethel Alden is watching. 
Ethel thinks it is more fun to hold the bacon on a 



230 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

long-pointed stick and cook it in that way. Have you 
ever tried ? Figure 147 shows the way the girls managed 
with a forked stick. Mrs. Alden always plans to have 
a " Bean Hole." While cooking supper she boils the 
beans. The diagram (Fig. 148) gives an idea of what is 
put into the bean pot, and shows the arrangement of hot 
cinders from the supper fire. The pot is buried and 
the soil covers the whole. In the morning the beans 
are perfectly delicious. 

Flapjacks, coffee, and baking-powder biscuits are 
great favorites at the Alden camp and are easily pre- 
pared over an open fire. 

Coffee. 

Measure the coffee and water according to the number to be 
served. A tablespoon of coffee for each cup and one for the pot makes 
good coffee. To the ground coffee add the white of an egg or the shell 
of an egg. Put coffee and egg into the pot, adding a little of the 
water, and stir. Add remaining water cold, stirring thoroughly. 
Allow water to rise slowly to the boiling point, and boil one minute. 
Remove pot, pour in a small amount of cold water, and let stand 
five minutes until settled. Pour off liquid coffee and keep hot until 
served. 

Flapjacks. 

Mix 2| cups of flour, J teaspoonful of salt, and ij teaspoonfuls of 
soda. Then add 2 cups of sour milk, one egg well beaten, and 2 
tablespoons of melted butter, in the order given. Mix and drop by 
spoonfuls on the pan or griddle. Cook until edges are done and 
bubbles appear. Turn the flapjacks quickly and cook on the other 
side. They are good served with scraped maple sugar. 



KEEPING WELL 



231 



Baking-powder biscuit. 

Mix together i pint of flour, 3 teaspoonfuls of baking powder, 
and J teaspoonful of salt. Cut in, with a knife, two tablespoonfuls 
of butter or half lard and half butter. Add i scant cup of milk, or, 
if you use sour milk, add also a scant teaspoonful of soda but no 
baking powder. Place a piece of smooth brown paper on a flat 




Courtesy of Hanoum Camp fOT Girls, T)iitjurd,Vt. 

Fig. 149. — The Alden family enjoying their canoe. 

rock. Dust the paper with flour, turn out the dough, dredge with 
flour, and pat into a firm mass, until \ inch in thickness. Bake 
in one piece or cut into biscuit shape with the top of the baking- 
powder can dipped in flour. Place in the large frying pan and cover 
with a tin cover. On top of the cover place hot coals. Place 
another pan beneath so that the bottom of the biscuit will not burn. 
Keep near the hot coals. Allow from § to | hour for the baking. 



232 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



So the days go by, — plenty of leisure, fresh air, 
and fun. This year Mr. Alden has rented a canoe, 
and the family enjoys it thoroughly. Figure 149 shows 
them at evening time on the river. 

The townspeople of Pleasant Valley are making much 
of the days that we all love, and are reviving many 




Courtesy of Mrs. L. Hepbu, a. 
Fig. 150. — The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. 

happy old customs. They make much of Thanks- 
giving, Christmas, the New Year, Lincoln's and Wash- 
ington's Birthdays, Memorial Day in May, Arbor 
Day, and Labor Day, and are planning for enter- 
tainment that costs very little in money and that 
does not depend upon eating for the pleasure it gives. 
Christmas Day. The celebration of Christmas Day 



KEEPING WELL 



233 



this year has been different from anything that Pleas- 
ant Valley has ever known, for there as everywhere is 
the feehng that in these days we must be more helpful 
than ever to people in need. The ministers of the 
town and the teacher discussed plans with the grown 
people and the children, 
and they all agreed to 
work and play together. 
Instead ^f giving pres- 
ents to each other, the 
girls and boys collected 
their old toys and dolls 
at the school, mended 
the toys, and re-dressed 
the dolls. In their cook- 
ing lessons they made 
simple candy and put it 
in pretty little bags of 
tarlatan and bright wor- 

j -I'll J F^*^- ^5^- — ^^^ out-door Christmas tree 

StedS which they sewed for places where the trolley company 

very quickly. These famishes electricity. 
were all packed in a box and sent to the nearest city to 
the very poor little children who otherwise would have 
nothing at all. In the top of the box were laid evergreen 
vines, and branches of red berries, wrapped in paper.^ 
And what was done in connection with the Christmas 
tree ? Instead of cutting down a fine old inhabitant of 

^ This was done in one school connected with a State College 
Christmas, 191 5. 




Courtesy of N. Y. Edison Co. 



234 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

the woods and trimming it in the Sunday School, 
they made a large spruce growing near one of the 
churches their Christmas tree. All the people from the 
different churches gathered there. They met just at 
dusk, lanterns being hung on the tree to make it bright 
and festal, and together they sang the old carols. The 
church was ready, trimmed with green boughs brought 
from the woods, in case of stormy weather. The little 
children were given bags of home-made candy, but this 
was all in the way of presents. 

In the morning two or three of the farmers loaned 
their big sleighs or sledges, which were filled with hay. 
The boys and girls and a few of their older friends 
dressed themselves warmly and, after an early break- 
fast, went dashing in the sleighs along the roads and sang 
the gay carols again, at the house where the families 
had not been able to join the gathering on Christmas 
Eve. The grown-ups and young people pronounced 
this the happiest Christmas they had ever known. 

Barbara Allen received a letter shortly after 
Christmas from a cousin in California, telling the 
same story, except that huge wagons were used in place 
of sleighs for the carol singers. 

Here are the recipes that were used for the candy in 
the bags : 

Peanut brittle. 

Shell I quart of peanuts and chop them in small pieces. Put 2 
cups sugar in a saucepan and place over a moderate fire. Stir from 
the bottom until the sugar is entirely melted and is of a rich brown 



KEEPING WELL 235 

color. The sugar will lump badly at first, but these lumps will en- 
tirely melt in time. Turn the chopped peanuts and I teaspoon- 
ful of salt into the sirup and stir together and immediately turn out 
on' a greased pan. When cold, break into pieces. 

Pinoche. 

Mix 2 cups of dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoonfuls of butter, i cup of 
milk, cream, or water, and | teaspoonful or less of cream of tartar, and 
place over a hot fire. Stir steadily until the mixture begins to boil. 
Stir occasionally after this until, when half a teaspoonful is dropped 
into cold water, it may be rolled to a soft ball with the fingers. Set 
the saucepan in a cool place and leave until it becomes just luke- 
warm. Add one teaspoonful of vanilla and stir the mixture until it 
becomes thick and seems a little grainy. Pour it into a greased tin 
and as soon as possible cut into squares. The exact point at which to 
remove the pinoche from the fire and again at which to cease stirring 
and pour into the pan, is a matter which only practice can teach. 
The very dark brown sugar contains some acid, and therefore less 
cream of tartar may be used. Chopped nuts may be added with the 
vanilla to the pinoche. 

Washington's Birthday. On this great day the 
townspeople met in the evening, dressed themselves 
in old-fashioned costumes, and had a spelling match. 
Who do you think won the match ^ Grandmother 
Stark. 

Fourth of July. You have all heard about a " safe 
and sane Fourth." It certainly is a lively sport to 
send ofif fire crackers, but is it worth while to run the 
risk of losing eyesight, or to blind someone else, ** just 
for fun .? " Fourth of July is a time to have a celebra- 
tion illustrating the history of your home town. There 



236 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



is not a place in this country that should not know the 
town or state history as well as that of the whole 
country. At their picnic on the Fourth, the Pleasant 
Valley school children gave a pageant of the story of 




Courttsy oj New York College of Agriculture, at Cornell University. 
Fig. 152. — The quilting bee. 

Roger Williams, who went to Rhode Island from Mas- 
sachusetts and found friendly Indians there. All the 
people of the town were gathered on the shore of the 
lake, waiting eagerly to see the little play. From 
behind a wooded point, a rowboat came toward the 



KEEPING WELL 237 

shore with boys and girls in costumes as much Hke 
those of the old times as possible. Roger Williams 
stood at the bow wearing a tall hat made of paper, of 
the shape to be found in the pictures of Puritan days. 
As the boat neared the shore, from behind a cluster 
of bushes came a group of Indians. The chief went 
forward, and, as Roger Williams stepped from the 
boat, said, '' What cheer .? " This is the Rhode Island 
tradition.^ The Indians then welcomed the pilgrims 
to what would have been their '' squantum," or clam- 
bake ; but as there are no clams in Pleasant Valley 
they served a fish chowder, which had been made in 
large quantities, and was the principal food for the 
picnic lunch. 

There is a pamphlet issued by the U. S. Government, 
at Washington, that gives delightful suggestions for 
town celebrations. You will find much pleasure in 
inventing simple and interesting entertainments for 
festival days. Costumes of paper are very effective, 
and are easy to make. 

So we learn that pleasure is quite necessary if one 
is to keep well. 

4. Exercise. Do you plan systematically each day 
for some exercise .^ It is just as important as sleep 
or work or pleasure if one is to keep well. Some- 
times one gets much of this exercise in doing one's daily 
work, but it is exercise in the air and sunshine which 
counts for most. The body needs sunshine as well as 
air in order to make its repairs. How are you planning 



238 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



for this ? When exercise is enjoyable it is of most 
benefit, so exercise which brings pleasure in connection 
with work is health-giving and a delight. 






»" ^ 









%f 







Fig. 153. — Work out of doors is helping to make strong women. 

Girls and women, especially, often get exercise from 
daily work. Perhaps some of your exercise and pleas- 
ure comes from cultivating your tenth of an acre 
as a member of a Canning Club, and from spending 



KEEPING WELL 239 

the money earned in that way. It is a good thing 
for women and girls to do some garden work, for the 
whole muscular system is benefited. Housework or 
^' chores " are general body developers. Sweeping, 
cleaning, making beds, churning are all good. Work 
outdoors tends to develop the body more than exer- 
cise taken in the house. 

Learn to walk. A mile or two at first, and four miles 
a day later is not too much for a growing girl or boy. 
One breathes five times as much air while walking as 
when sitting still. Do not " harness up " or jump into 
the motor to do an errand a mile away. You may 
save some time at the expense of your health. 

Many people do not know how to breathe properly. 
This is very important because our bodies must be 
supplied with oxygen from the air if all its parts are 
to grow well and to be strong. Just as the plants 
breathe through their leaves and the fish through their 
gills, so living human beings breathe through their lungs. 
Some people take air into their lungs through their 
mouths. This is not a safe way. Air should enter 
through the nostrils, and through the windpipe which 
supplies it to the little sacs of the lungs. Sometimes 
children or grown people have growths in their nose 
passages and so breathe through the mouth. When 
one breathes through the nostrils, the air is warmed 
and made moist as it passes down to the lungs, and 
the dust is sifted by the hairs in the nostrils. That is 
the right way to breathe. When one breathes through 



240 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



the mouth, the air is cold as it reaches the lungs and 
may be filled with dust too. Is that a good way ? 
When people breathe through the mouth, they should 
consult a physician about the growths in their noses. 




Courtesy of Hanoum Camp for Girls, Tnetford, yt. 
Fig. 154. — "Hiking" is good fun and the best kind of exercise. 



No one can be well with such troubles, for then the 
body is not supplied with enough oxygen. 

Do you know that our lungs require so much air 
that we are constantly taking in fresh oxygen and 
breathing out carbon dioxide ? Can you imagine what 
happens to the body when one wears tight corsets, 
shoes, collars, or other tight clothing ? Can you think 
what happens when people sit bent over and the lungs 
are not able to get all the oxygen they need ? Yes, 



KEEPING WELL 



241 



sometimes tuberculosis or some other dread disease fol- 
lows because the body has not had enough oxygen to 
make it grow properly and to repair the daily waste of 
the body. Tight clothing and bent bodies prevent the 
supply of air from reaching the lungs. The way to 
breathe properly is from the diaphragm, which is fas- 
tened to the lower border of the 
ribs. Ask your teacher to prac- 
tice rigffi breathing with you, 
and sit and stand in school so 
as to get the oxygen your body 
needs. Many people are ill, 
because they do not breathe 
properly ; and really do not 
know why. The Pleasant Val- 
ley boys and girls have breath- 
ing exercises for five minutes 
every day. They are learning 
how to breathe. 

Other outdoor games of all kinds are the best kinds 
of exercise. They develop the large muscles of the 
limbs and trunk of the body. Are you learning to 
swim, to walk, to run, to take walks up the mountain 
^ides .? These need cost one nothing but the time and 
effort. Are you planning for exercise every day ? 

There are some people who must exercise indoors. 
There are many exercises for developing the different 
parts of the body. Miss James has taught the girls 
some good ones in the calisthenic classes. Dumbbells 




Fig. 155. — What will happen 
to this girl if she does not learn 
to sit erect ? 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Fig. 156. — Are you learning to climb mountains, too? 



KEEPING WELL 243 

and wands are sometimes used, and so both arms and 
legs may be exercised at the same time. 

It is exercise each day that counts. How do you 
think you would feel if you stuffed your body with 
enough food to last for one week ? Many people exer- 
cise in that way ; they seem to forget that it is each 
day which counts in keeping the muscles of the body 
in good order. Study yourself. Are you sick and ill 
and unable to work or play ? If so, you should feel 
ashamed that you have not cared for your body in- 
telligently in order to prevent illness. Think of the 
loss to our country when men are so inefficient that they 
can work only half the time. Proper exercise should 
help one to be efficient. 

Miss James told the Pleasant Valley children that 
there are a few other things which one can think 
about each day and which help to keep one well. They 
are proper clothing, proper food, and proper thinking. 
We shall study next lesson about how they can help 
too. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Make a clock showing how you spend your 24 hours. Is your 
clock different each day ? Are the necessary principles observed 
each day ? 

2. What kind of pleasures do you like best for your day ? How 
do you plan for pleasures in your town ? 

3. What work are you looking forward to doing when you finish 
district school ? 

4. How much sleep do you think girls of 12-13-14 years of age 



244 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



should have ? Have you a sleeping porch ? Can you plan to sleep 
outdoors ? 

5. Practice right breathing at school. Are you sitting properly ? 
Is your school room properly ventilated ? 

6. How does fresh air help to keep one well ? 




Fig. 157. — Do you enjoy calisthenics ? Try them on tne school lawn. 



Lesson 2 



SOME OTHER HELPERS IN KEEPING WELL 

There are other helpers whose services we can have, if we wish 
them, in the battle of keeping well. Jane discovered that she had 
to have their help. Do you ^ 



KEEPING WELL 245 

Jane spent two hours each day at her meals. After 
Miss James' talks at school, she reahzed how impor- 
tant it is to think about what one eats and drinks. 
Proper food and drink are great helpers in the battle 
of keeping well. If one is not properly fed one can- 
not be very happy. You have thought about this 
in your studies in Food and Health. 

I. Pi;pper Drink. Did you know that some people 
never stop to think about the kind of water they are 
drinking or its source .? Do you know that water 
collects bacteria from the ground through which it 
soaks, and gathers it also from the air as it falls to earth 
from the clouds .? Have you ever looked at a drop of 
water through a microscope .? What did you see ? 
Pure water is an absolute necessity if one is to keep 
well, and one should have plenty of it. How many 
quarts of water do you drink each day ^. Miss James 
told the girls to plan to drink about two quarts of 
pure water — that is, about eight glasses — eyery day. 
Most people think this is necessary, but forget to do 
it. Two glasses in the evening and two in the morn- 
ing on rising, and if possible the other four between 
meals. This is worth remembering, for it is such a 
simple thing to do in order to keep well. One some- 
times has to learn to drink water. It may be an effort 
at first, but keep on trying. 

The water we drink should be pure. The harmful 
bacteria in water supply sometimes come from poor 
drainage. They cause typhoid fever, and other dread- 



246 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



ful diseases. You have learned about this in your 
textbook, Food and Health. Are the people living near 
you permitting their cows to pollute the streams of 
the water you drink ? Are the outhouses placed so 
that the drainage from the cesspools or barns will 
contaminate your well ? It is worth while investi- 
gating. Sometimes ty- 



l 




f^^l^^^^^^"^, 




phoid fever comes from 
milk. Perhaps the milk- 
man is washing his cans 
or hands in water of a 
stream which is polluted. 

If there is any doubt 
about the drinking water 
being pure, it is possible 
to protect oneself by 
boiling the water, until in- 
vestigations can be made 
^ and the dangers corrected. 
Boiling kills bacteria. 

Fig. 158. —Water can be placed in clean Filtering doCS UOt kill the 
bottles and kept next to the ice. _^^^^^ T^ :^ ,,.:^^ ^^a- ^^ 

germs. It is wise not to 
use ice in water, as the ice often contains bacteria. 
A safer way is to put the water in bottles and place 
them near the ice or in the cool cellar or vat where 
the milk is chilled. This may save much trouble and 
will give you pure drinking water. 

It is not necessary to say that water is the best and 
safest drink for growing boys and girls. Alcohol in 



KEEPING WELL 247 

any form, in so-called ** soft drinks," or in cider or wine 
of any kind, is very injurious. Alcoholic drinks make 
criminals of men and often lead them to the insane 
asylums. The money spent for drink is wasted ; for 
it is not used for better living or for the home or saved 
for future uses. The drink habit makes very unhappy 
homes. Many men cannot support their families 
because the money they earn is spent for drink. Then 
the mother and children have to work harder to help, 
and often have not the necessary food 
or clothing to keep them well. All this 
can be prevented by drinking only pure, 
sparkling water. Are you helping to 
fight this enemy, alcohol .? Miss James 
says that sometimes when people do not 
have the right kind of food to nourish 
the body, the body craves drink ; and so fig. 159. — A 
many men are drunkards because they do ^^^^" '^"p ^^^ 

, I each person. 

not have proper rood. Are you not glad 

to learn how to prepare and serve good nourishing 

food in your home ? 

What kind of cups are you using at your school ? 
Have you noticed that the railroads and steamboats in 
some states are now required to furnish the individual 
drinking cups ? Why is this wise ? Here is a picture 
(Fig. 159) of one. 

2. Proper Food. It is just as difficult to obtain pure 
food and proper food as it is to get pure water to 
drink. One must think about this too each day. 




248 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Have you ever been hungry ? Do you know that is 
the way the cells of your body call for food ? You 
have learned before that the body is a machine 
and is constantly using the food which is supplied 
to it to produce energy for work. The cells need 
to be repaired in order to perform this work. Have 
you ever thought that father or brother, working 
in the field all day, can eat more food than you 
can sitting more quietly at your work at school ? 




Fig. 160. — One must learn to choose the proper foods for health. 

Why is this so ? You have learned in the book, Food 
and Health, that one must learn to choose the right 
kind of food in order to be properly nourished. A 
body which is not nourished properly cannot do good 
work or be happy or make others happy. 

Jane is learning to select from the foods offered at 
table those which she needs for her daily work, instead 
of eating everything which is served. One has to 
learn to do this. In the book, Food and Health, you 
can learn how too, if you wish to keep well. One 
cannot enjoy anything if one is ill. Is it worth while, 
do you think, to plan to keep well ? 



KEEPING WELL 249 

* 3. Proper Clothing. Another secret, Jane says, 
is learning to wear proper clothing. It does not 
take much time each day, but still one must learn 
to think each day about it. If it is cool and rainy 
Jane thinks to put on her heayy boots and her rub- 
bers and perhaps a heavier coat or rain coat. She 
plans as she dresses to protect her body accord- 
ing to the weather. Miss James has taught the 
girls the secrets of the body and how the heat it makes 
must be conserved at times. If Jane does not think 
and wears very thin stockings and low shoes on a cold, 
rainy or snowy day, what do you think will happen to 
Jane ? She may not feel it at once, but some day she 
will surely have to pay for her neglect of her body. 
Nature evens up things when we disobey. 

It is well to remember that if our houses are very 
warm we should wear thin clothing indoors and protect 
our bodies with outer garments when we go outdoors. 

In summer it is well to remember to protect the head 
with a bonnet or hat while working in the garden, and 
to wear appropriate shoes and clothes for comfort. 

Proper corsets and underwear, Jane has learned, 
affect health. See page 245 in Clothing and Health. 
Have you learned that lesson too .^ 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. How much water are you drinking each day ? What facilities 
have you at school for pure drinking water ? 

2. Do you have your own drinking cups ? Why ^. 



250 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

3. Why must one think about choosing the right foods ? 

4. What kind of clothing do you wear on a very warm day ? On 
a very cold day ? Why is there any difference ? Tell some ways 
in which clothing affects health. 

Lesson 3 

in case there is sickness at home 

It is wise to try to prevent sickness by thinking about the things 
we have studied ; but when it occurs how can a girl help ? 

What can a girl do to help when there is sickness in 
the house? When the illness is very serious, the help 
that a young girl can give sometimes seems very little ; 
but when Grandmother Stark was ill, Mrs. Stark said 
afterward, she did not know what she could have done 
without Mollie, although some one had to be called 
in to help in caring for Grandmother. Keeping the 
house quiet is one of the important things to remember. 
Mollie succeeded in doing this by amusing the chil- 
dren outside of the house, and by keeping them busy 
in quiet ways indoors. Mollie sometimes sat with her 
grandmother in the shaded room that had plenty of 
fresh air. Mrs. Stark had removed unnecessary furni- 
ture, and she herself and the nurse and Mollie always 
went into the room with soft shoes that would not 
squeak, and with skirts and dresses that did not rustle. 

Airing the room in sickness. The sickroom must be 
thoroughly aired two or three times a day, the pa- 
tient being covered and shielded from any wind that 



KEEPING WELL 



251 




may blow upon her. Between 
these airings off, fresh air should 
be passing in at the window 
all the time. A board can be 
set under the lower sash, or the 
window can be lowered from the 
top and raised at the bottom 
with pieces of cheesecloth over 
the openings. These will pre- 
vent a strong draft and yet 
admit the air. (Fig. 161.) 

Serving food for sick people. 
When the patient is very ill, 
the food must be prescribed 
by the doctor. When Grand- 
mother Stark was getting better, 
however, MoUie and her sisters found that they 
could please her and persuade her to eat a little, by 
taking her a dainty tray with simple food well prepared. 

Here is a picture of a 
corner of Grand- 
mother's room with a 
comfortable chair, and 
a tray on the table, 
waiting for her. Fig- 
ure 164 shows the tray 
more plainly. The 
cloth on the tray 

A comfortable corner for a i i i i • • i 

convalescent. should be daintily 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
Farmers' Bulletin 607. 

Fig. i6i. — Ventilation with- 
out drafts, secured by 
placing a board beneath 
lower sash of window. 




Fig. 162. 



252 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Courtesy of Misses Allen, Deer field, Mass. 



Fig. 163. 



Sunday afternoon with Grand- 
mother. 



clean, and only a few 
dishes and a small quan- 
tity of food should be 
placed on it. Grand- 
mother began to feel 
better towards Christ- 
mas. There is a sprig 
of holly, as you see, 
placed at the back of 
the tray to give a bit of 
cheerfulness and beauty. 
What food may we 
give? Eggs and milk, 
chicken broth, or beef tea, sometimes fruit juice, 
and well-made toast are among the proper foods. At 
times a patient can retain the white of tgg stirred 
with a little water when no other food can be kept upon 
the stomach. During convalescence, gelatin jellies 
and a bit of chicken or pigeon can be given. Here 
are a few of the ways in which MoUie and her sister 
prepared food for Grandmother : 

Making toast. Toasted bread can be digested when 
the plain bread cannot, for the browning process 
changes the starch and, in fact, partly digests it. 
It is by no means easy to make a slice of toast an 
even golden brown, well dried all the way through. 
Moist bread toasted on the outside alone is not 
wholesome for a sick person. Here are the steps in 
toasting : 



KEEPING WELL 



253 



1. See that you have a fire with clear, bright coals for the toast- 
ing. If it is summer and you are using a kerosene stove, the bread 
can be browned in the bottom of the kerosene oven. 

2. Use bread a day old or even older. 

3. Cut the bread in even slices, — not more than a quarter of an 
inch thick. 

4. Put the slices firmly in the toaster or on a fork with a long 
handle. 

5. Put the toaster near the fire, changing quickly from one side 
to the other. Do this until you have an even golden brown on both 
sides. 

A few other points : A person who is not feeling well likes to see 
dainty food. The bread for toasting can be cut in triangles, the crust 
being taken off before the toast is made. Toast that becomes too 
brown and has to be scraped is not a success. You had better give 
that slice to some one else and make another piece for your invalid. 




Fig. 164. — A tray with poached egg and cocoa. 

To serve the toast. It may be buttered, if the 
patient is allowed to take butter. To serve it soft, 
pour on a little hot water from a teaspoon, or set a 



254 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

steamer in the top of the tea kettle and moisten the 
toast in that. If it is to be milk toast, prepare the 
milk as directed in Lesson 8, Food and Health, using 
not more than a tablespoonful of flour to a pint of milk. 
Lemon jelly. This is a nourishing dish and one that a 
person who is sick will enjoy. This is how to prepare it : 

Use f cup of lemon juice, or J cup orange juice and J cup lemon 
juice. Soak 2 tablespoonfuls or \ box of gelatin in | cup of cold water 
10 minutes. Cook till slightly yellow, 2 cups of water, i cup of sugar, 
I inch of stick cinnamon, and rind of half a lemon. Pour it over 
gelatin. When gelatin is dissolved, add lemon juice and strain 
into wet mold. Chill. Unmold and serve with whipped cream. 

Egg in a nest. Little Alice Stark ate this one day 
when she refused all other food, simply because it 
looked pretty. 

1. Cut a round piece of bread and toast it. 

2. Separate the white from the yolk of the egg and beat the white 
until it is light and dry with a pinch of salt. 

3. Pile the beaten white on the slice of toast in the shape of a 
nest. - 

4. Slip the yolk into the hole in the middle carefully, without 
breaking it. 

5. Set this all in a moderate oven until the yolk is slightly cooked 
and the beaten white browned a little. One little girl who made 
this and then wrote the story in her notebook, said, " until the peaks 
of the white are tipped with a little brownness." 

Refreshing drinks for an invalid. When an acid is 
allowed by the doctor, a fruit-juice beverage is very 
acceptable. If the throat is parched and dry, some 



KEEPING WELL 



255 



other substance may be added, like gelatin or sea-moss 
farina, which also supply some nourishment. Boiling 
water may be poured upon well-dried toast, or upon a 
thoroughly cooked cereal, strained and cooled, and 
served plain or flavored with fruit juice. Do not add 
sugar without the doctor's approval. 




Fig. 165. — Feeling better. 



Flowers in the sickroom. When our sick friend is 
recovering, we may cheer her with a few flowers or a 
plant. Be careful, though, that they have not a strong 
scent. When we are well we enjoy fragrant flowers, but 
it is best not to have them in the sickroom. When the 
patient is suffering from a catarrhal trouble, like a 



256 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



severe cold in the head, or from a sensitive throat, do 
not permit flowers in the room. 

The pupils of the Pleasant Valley School studied the 
care of sick people and what to do in case of accident 
for a much longer time than this chapter shows. Miss 




I I i(C — Violets or hepatiqas for a sick friend. 

James placed on the bookshelf one or two simple books 
about nursing, and she encouraged the girls to take 
turns in carrying the nursing books home. We must 
always be careful not to undertake nursing unless we 
know what to do ; but the little kindnesses suggested 
in this lesson every girl may be glad to practice at 
some time. 



KEEPING WELL 



257 




Courtesy of Camp Hanoum, Thetford, Vt. 

Fig. 167. — The pupils of the Pleasant Valley school studied what to do in case 

of accident. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. From your own experience with sickness, mention simple things 
to do for a sick person, not discussed in this lesson. 

2. Why is it important to have fresh air in the sickroom ? 

3. In case clothing catches on fire do you know what to do at 
once ? 

4. Why should you not run out of doors if your hair or 
apron catches on fire ? 

5. Do you know what to do with a burn "until the doctor 
comes" ? 

6. Why should you not give pie or pork or boiled cabbage to a 
sick person ? 

s 



258 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Lesson 4 



ANOTHER HELPER 



Another helper is cleanUness. What can cleanHness do to help 
us in the battle of keeping well ? 

Have you discovered that it costs to keep clean? 
Mrs. Richards, whose picture is on page 89, and w^hose 
birthday we celebrate, has written a book on The 
Cost of Cleanliness. Some day you will wish to read 
it. It costs time and money and energy to keep clean, 
and people cannot be well unless they are clean. Jane 
has to think of this each day in her planning. You 
have learned (page 166) that baby must be kept clean 
if she is to grow and be strong and well and happy. 
You have learned about cleaning your house (page 96) 
and cleaning your body. Do you plan for this each 
day ? The cisterns must be kept clean if we are to 
have pure water, and the cesspools must be cared for if 
we are to keep well. Milk and food of all kinds must be 
kept clean for the sake of health. Have you not learned 
that often many people are made ill because some are 
careless and forget to keep the barns and streams clean '^. 

Cleanliness is one of the great laws of health — the 
cleanliness of our cities, our country places, our homes 
within and without, our food, the water we drink, the 
clothes we wear, as well as of our own bodies. So 
many things to keep clean, because dirt is one of the 
causes of disease and the little germs thrive ,in dirt 
(page 99). 



KEEPING WELL 



259 



What thought do you give to this each day in your 
planning? Jane says she cleans her body every 
morning with a sponge bath, and tw^ice a w^eek she 
has a tub bath, because there is enough hot w^ater on 
those days. She remembers to clean her teeth, night 
and morning, and sometimes after meals. Every 
Sunday she puts on clean clothes, and in the middle 
of the w^eek clean underwear 
and stockings. Why does 
Jane change more often 
the garments which come 
in contact with her skin ? 
Jane keeps her skin clean, 
and her teeth and hands 
and finger nails too ; then 
she clothes her body with 
clean clothes. 

Every morning Jane helps 
to clean the house, 
dusts her room and mother's, 
with a damp cloth. Why is a damp one better ^ She 
also dusts the wood floor with the oil mop and on 
Saturdays helps with the other cleaning. Do you 
think it is necessary to keep the houses in which 
we live clean as well as our bodies ? Is your school 
clean ^ Is your church ? It is safer to live in a 
house and a neighborhood which is clean than in a 
place where rubbish is thrown in the roads or 
gutters. 




Courtesy of Denlacura Co. , Newark, N. J. 



CUp Fig. 168. — Do you remember to do 
this at least twice every day ? 



iGo 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Do you think it is well to cultivate habits of cleanli- 
ness? The air in cities is not as clean and pure as in 
the country. Are you thankful for pure air ? Are 
you drinking pure water and eating clean food ? Are 
you living in a clean house with a clean yard ? Are 
you going to a clean school ? Are your neighbors clean 
people ? Are the barns and cows near you clean ? 
Are the milkers clean ? If not, it is unfair to your far- 
off neighbors who live in large cities and buy the milk. 
Perhaps you have a society in your town which is 



m \ 




Yfl W wW'-' d 



Fig. 169. — This is clean-up day. Do you have it in your town .? 

for the purpose of making people keep clean. Such 
a club is of great benefit and will aim to keep its com- 
munity well and free from public nuisances. Such a 
society will help to save lives. Have you organized 
one ? The Girls' League of Pleasant Valley, as well 
as the Boy Scouts, is doing all it can to keep the 
town clean and free from nuisances caused by dirty 
people. 

Clean thoughts are necessary, too. Clean habits 
each day with clean thoughts help to keep us well. 
Have you ever stopped to think if your thoughts were 
clean ^ Are you thinking about the right things ? 



KEEPING WELL 



261 



Sometimes people are unhappy because they are think- 
ing in a wrong way. This is very important if one is 
to keep well : To learn right habits of thinking. 

Have you ever been jealous .? Jane was one day be- 
cause Marjorie had a new hat. Do you think that was 
a good way of thinking ^ Jane became upset about 
it and fretted so that she be- 
came ill that afternoon and had 
to go to bed. She missed a 
party that night and a game of 
tennis in the afternoon. Do 
you think it paid her to have 
jealous thoughts ^ 

Have you ever been angry ? 
Anger can upset one and cause 
headaches and indigestion. 
One should be careful about 
how one is thinking. If one is 
cheerful and kind and happy 
at meals and there is good 
bright conversation, one's 
meals digest more easily. 
When one goes to the table in anger, all kinds of 
serious troubles are apt to follow. 

Have you ever been very sad ? Have you noticed 
people who were ? See how dull their faces look ; 
notice how they sigh. Do you know that these feel- 
ings of jealousy, anger, sorrow, fear are all capable of 
producing diseases in our body ? Do you know why ^ 




Fig. 170. — Anger has a bad effect 
on the whole body. 



262 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



It is because these feelings affect the Uttle nerves all over 
the body which regulate the supply of blood. Sometimes 

the blood vessels are en- 
larged, as in anger ; some- 
times the blood is driven 
from the face and the skin 
is white and cold, as in 
fear. All these conditions 
are not normal and affect 
health. Do you wish to 
have your body poisoned 
by wrong thoughts, and 
your health impaired ^ 

Do you notice what a 
difference it makes in 
your actions when you are 
thinking happy thoughts? 
The whole body feels the 
effect ; the digestive juices 
flow more easily, and the 
food is easily digested. A happy person moves about 
freely, is cheerful, and accomplishes work quickly and 
easily ; the happiness shows in every motion. The body 
is benefited because it is working freely in a normal 
way and all the tiny nerves are permitted to do their 
work. They permit the blood to flow freely and to 
go pounding through our bodies, making our hearts 
beat faster, and bringing nourishment to all the 
body. 




Fig. 171, — Sadness affects our health and 
makes our friends sad also. 



KEEPING WELL 



263 



Don't you feel glad and ready to laugh when you are 
happy ? Laughing is a help, too, in keeping well. It 
acts like a tonic on the whole system. 

So you see that happy thoughts, pleasant things, 
help our bodies to do better work and bring health ; 
while anger, fear, sorrow, jealousy have a very bad 
effect. Which kind of thinking are you doing .? Jane 
says sometimes she cannot help 
having angry thoughts, but she is 
learning to control her thoughts. 
This is a great thing to learn if 
one is to be clean in thought as 
well as in body. Are you trying ? 

So we have learned that there 
are many things for us to think 
about each day in planning to 
live happy, helpful, efficient lives. 
A time for sleep with plenty of 
good air, some time for work, 
time for pleasure each day, exer- 
cise in the sunshine if possible, ^ig. 172. - Laughing is a 
cleanliness, good food, good water, good tonic. Happiness 

, . , II' 11 helps to keep one well. 

the right ciothmg, and happy 

thoughts. Miss James says it is most important to 
make a plan each day ; that is, to think about these 
necessary things. Some of them become habits and 
we do not have to think all the time ; but the neces- 
sary thing to remember is that one cannot take all 
one's exercise or sleep or fun or food at the end of a 




264 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

week, but a plan must be made every day in order to 
get in all the necessary things for health. Are you 
planning for these in your day ? You must if you 
wish to keep well. 

Jane says she has thought of something else to add 
to her plans. She says she always feels happier when 
she has done something for some one else each day. In 
other words, when she has given something. It may be 
a kind act, a thoughtful letter, or a bunch of flowers 
picked on the way to school and left for one who is 
ill. Perhaps it is a little money given for a good cause. 
Are you planning your life so as to have something to 
give ^ If not, you are missing half of the joy of life. 
Many people plan their income3 so as always to have 
something to give. Would you like to hear about how 
such people plan ? We shall learn in the next lesson. 
Miss James has a plan. It does not matter how small 
one's income is, one can plan to give something. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. Why is cleanliness so expensive ? 

2. What is being done by your town to keep clean ? Is there a 
"clean-up" day ? 

3. How are you planning for personal cleanliness each day? 
Why is this important ? 

4. What do we mean by clean thoughts ? How do anger or 
jealousy affect our bodies ? 

5. What did Jane discover was a very important plan for happi- 
ness ? How do you think she^put it in operation ? 



KEEPING WELL 



265 



Lesson 5 

the well-planned budget helps, too 
Miss James says she keeps a budget. Do you know what that 



means 





JOHNS 
BUDGET 



Miss James says a budget is a plan for spending 
money. She says she does not always follow the plan 
exactly, but it is a great help to have it. Do you 
remember that when you made your petticoat the 
pattern was a great help ; 
but you changed it a little 
to make it fit you, and 
Jane altered it slightly in 
another way to make it fit 
her. It is just so with a 
budget ; it can be adapted 
to one's life and income. 
Miss James has a story to 

tell about a little city boy Fig. 173. — John divided his money and 
, , , , , yy. kept it in several envelopes. 

who had a budget. His 

mother and father gave him all the necessary food and 
clothing, and his Aunt Mary gave him 25 cents each week, 
for which he was in turn to have a plan for spending. 
Would you like to hear about his plan ? Aunt Mary 
said he was to divide his 25 cents each week in this way : 

Five cents was to be given to some charity at the church he at- 
tended or at Sunday School; 

Five cents to make some one happy each week; 

Five cents to be saved to be put in the bank later, and ten cents 
for himself, to spend any way he wished. 



266 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



Would you like to know how John did it ? Some- 
times he saved his ten cents for himself, until he had 
thirty cents and then bought a ball or something he 
wanted very much. Sometimes he spent it for soda 
water. Aunt Mary said he might spend it any way he 

wished, and he did. With the 
five cents to make some one 
happy, he had much pleasure. 
One day he surprised his mother 
when she was ill by bringing her 
a rose. In cities one has to 
buy flowers from a florist shop. 
Country children have so many 
things which city boys and girls 
cannot enjoy. Was that not a 
lovely thing to do ? Another 
week he bought some candy for 
two little boys who were looking 
at some in a store window. Do 
you not think he was happy in 
giving so much pleasure ^ Twice 
each year he went with Aunt 
Mary and deposited the five 
cents saved each week, in the Savings Bank. Aunt 
Mary also gives him some birthday money to save. 
It is a useful thing to have some money put aside in 
this way. We hear about saving for a rainy day. Do 
you understand what that means ? John called this 
plan of Aunt Mary's a game. Do you know that 




Fig. 174. — It is wise to save 
part of one's income. 



KEEPING WELL 267 

many older people plan a way of spending their 
money? It is not exactly a game, for much depends 
on the right way of spending. Sometimes mothers 
and fathers plan together in this way. It brings 
much happiness to have a plan and to know if one's 
money is being spent wisely, and to the greatest 
advantage. We learned that women should learn 
the spending business. Mothers and fathers to- 
gether should plan to learn how to spend wisely. 
Would you like to know about Miss James' plan .? 
Miss James says that her money last year, before 
she lived at the Ellen H. Richards House, was spent 
for these things ; but until she made a budget, she 
did not know how much was spent for each. Look at 
all the items in this list. Did you know one person had 
to spend for so many things .^ 
For : • 

1. Food. Board at Mrs. Andrews' 

2. Rent. Room at Mrs. Stark's 

3 . Clothes 

4. Laundry 

5. Railroad fare. Trip to State Teachers' Meeting and sum- 

mer vacation 

6. Books. To help in her school work 

7. Candy or entertainment 

8. Saved. Put in bank and life insurance 

9. Charity and church 

10. Presents. To give pleasure — flowers, books, birthday and 

Christmas cards, and gifts 

11. Dentist or doctor 

12. Incidentals, postage, etc. 



268 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Do you think this list is at all like John's list of 
things for which he spent his income? No, Miss 
James has to buy clothes and to pay for her room and 
board and other things which John did not have to 
pay for. Do you see the difference ? In what ways 
are the things for which money was spent the same ? 
The little boy had a division of his 25 cents, ^ for sav- 
ing, ^ for charity, ^ for making some one happy, f for 
himself. What percentage is ^ of 25 cents .? f .? I 
wonder what Miss James' division is ! She had to 
study the right way to divide. There are ways of di- 
viding which bring one happiness, and there are other 
ways which bring sorrow. Miss James had a friend, 
a teacher, who spent all her money for new hats and 
clothes. She didn't spend any on keeping up with her 
school work and learning, by attending Teachers' 
Meetings. By and by she lost her position. Do you 
think her plan for spending was a wise one .? Have 
you ever heard of a father who spent most of his money 
for drink and tobacco .? What do you suppose hap- 
pened to that family when there was no money for 
clothes or food or good times ^ Was that a good 
plan.^ 

Mrs. Ellen H. Richards, about whom we have studied, 
wrote another book called The Art of Right Living. 
Miss James studied this and also the book on The 
Cost of Living. Mrs. Richards gives some very good 
plans or budgets. Miss James has studied them and 
has divided her income so as to get the greatest 



KEEPING WELL 



269 



pleasure and good from it. Mrs. Richards says that 
money should be so divided by a family of mother and 
father and children that there is some money for all 
of these things ; because money should be available for 
all of these things if one is to live efficiently and well. 

Food 

Clothes 

Rent, or Housing 

Light, Heat, Wages (called expenses for operating the house) 

Miscellaneous 

Books, Education 

Church, Charity 

Savings, Life Insurance 

Doctor, Dentist 

Travel, Pleasure 

Do you think Miss James included all of these in 
spending her income ^ Miss James says the trouble 
is that very often people 
spend too large a per- 
centage for one thing and 
then have nothing left 
for fun or for giving. Is 
that wise, do you think ^ 
In Mrs. Richards' book 
she has made a plan 
which should help us to 

spend wisely. Some day Fig- 175- — Some lives are Hke vessels at 

. sea without a chart. 

you may have to plan 

to spend for a family. It is not easy when one's in- 




270 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

come is uncertain, but even then one should try to 
make some kind of a plan or sailing chart. Do you 
know that vessels are lost at sea if there is no sailing 
chart or plan, and there is danger of shipwreck on 
rocks or shoals ? Sometimes the lives of families are 
wrecked because there is no plan for living, — no chart 
to sail by. 

This is Mrs. Richards' plan for spending. Many 
other people have worked this out too, and agree with 
Mrs. Richards that this is a wise division. If a family 
of father and mother and three children have an in- 
come each year of ^looo, this is how Mrs. Richards 
would divide it : 

Food . 30% or $300 per year 

Rent 20 or 200 per year 

Clothes . . 15 or 150 per year 

Operating expenses 10 or 100 per year 

Miscellaneous 25 or 250 per year 

This division of 30 per cent for food, 20 per cent for 
rent, 15 per cent for clothes, 10 per cent for operating 
expenses, 25 per cent for miscellaneous things is simply 
a sailing chart. Sometimes one must change one's plan 
— as we said, one must change the pattern — so as 
to spend different percentages for these principal 
items. 

Perhaps you can begin now to keep an expense ac- 
count. What headings will you keep ^ Here is a 
plan which may help you in keeping yours : 



KEEPING WELL 



271 



(Other column headings to be 
added) 


w 














en 

H 
1— I 















Church 










. 




Q 
< 

CJ 












Clothing, 
Ribbons, 
Collars 














Accounts 

1916 
January 


c 

•— > 


C 
03 
1 » 


00 

c 

03 
1 1 




C 
OJ 


3 





H 

O 
O 
O 

< 

a; 

< 



O 

>— 1 

< 



Q 




1 


> 































H 
Pi 

W 










t 
1 


6 














>< 
►J 
P 




























> i 

^ 1 












S 

< 














w 
u 

< 




























1— > 
















H 


d 






-0 

c 






3 

CJ 


C/5 




C/) 

.ii 
c 


03 

>, 
u 

<° 



272 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Miss James used these same forms for her monthly 
and yearly accounts, but her headings for the columns 
were different. Why ? Room, Board, Clothes and 
Laundry, Gifts, Traveling, Saved, Church and Char- 
ity, Dentist and Doctor, Books and Magazines, Inci- 
dentals. The column headings differ with each person's 
requirements. The important reason for keeping ac- 
counts is that one may know where to reduce one's 
expenses and to be sure one is including all the things 
one needs for happiness. If not, the plan is a poor 
one, unless there is an exceptionally good reason for 
so doing. 

EXERCISES 

1. If you had ^i per month for spending money, how would 
you plan ? 

2. What are the principal things for which one must spend money ? 
What are the things one should really plan to include in one's budget, 
in order to plan for happiness and efficiency ? 

3. Begin to keep an expense account. Make a good plan. 

Lesson 6 

work helps to keep one well and happy 

Do you know that work helps to keep one well and happy ? 
What plans have you made ? The Pleasant Valley girls have 
discussed this with Miss James. 

What is your plan? Do you remember our talk 
about work when we discussed plans for dividing the 
24 hours of each day .? By this time all have had a 
chance to try some plan. Do you not feel happier 



KEEPING WELL 



273 



when you know you have accomphshed a good piece 
of work ? So all our lives long we are happier with 
some work to do, some life interest. Mothers have 
their homes, and often girls help there until they are 
married. Do you not think it is important, then, for 
all girls to learn how to 
be good home makers, 
the kind who will have 
joy and interest in the 
home-making work be- 
cause they know how, 
and who will be able to 
spend wisely and enjoy 
living because they know 
how to keep well ^ Some- 
times girls who stay at 
home would like to earn 
some money while help- 
ing at home. Have you 
ever thought what you 
could do in your town to 
earn a little for spending 
money, while you are liv- 
ing at home and do not have the expense of room and 
board while helping mother and father.? There are many 
things, some small, taking very little time, and others 
most of one's time. The Pleasant Valley girls made a 
list of possible opportunities in their neighborhood ; 
perhaps your teacher will help you to make such a hst. 




Fig. 176. — Are you beginning to think 
about the path you will choose ? 



274 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

Sometimes girls wish to leave home and go away to 
study at a business school, a normal school, or other 
institutions which prepare one to earn a living. Some 
girls do not like home duties as well as others and 
will be happier doing some other line of work. Have 
you ever thought about what you would like to do ? 
Many of the girls who go away and prepare for work 
other than home making decide after a few years to 
marry and become home makers, so it is important that 
they too should know about how to live wisely and to 
make a home. Some girls do not marry, and then 
they are happier because they can earn money and 
help in the world ; and very often they contribute very 
valuable service. Is it not wise to prepare oneself to 
earn ? It may not be absolutely necessary now, but 
the time may come when you will wish you had learned 
how to do something well. 

For the girl who can go away to study. Here is a 
list which Miss James made for the Pleasant Valley 
girls of some of the things girls often study when they 
go away from home to prepare to earn their living. 
This is, of course, after the high school course is fin- 
ished, which is the foundation every girl should have 
who wishes to accomplish the best work. Sometimes 
some of these schools admit girls who have not finished 
high school, when the standards are not so high, but the 
positions later are not apt to be so good. Here are 
some of the places girls go to in order to prepare for life 
work : 



KEEPING WELL 



275 



L To Normal Schools 

To learn to be teacher 

{a) In elementary schools — district or other schools 
{b) Of special subjects — household arts, music, physical 
training, art, kindergartening 




Fig. 177. — Will you become a teacher? 

II. To Hospitals 

To learn to be 

[^a) Hospital nurse or 

{b) Trained baby nurse and mother's helper 




Fig. 178. — Some girls will wish to become trained nurses after their High School 

work is finished. 



276 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



III. To Business Schools 
To learn to be 

(a) Stenographer and typewriter (c) Office assistant 

(b) Bookkeeper (d) Secretary 




Fig. 179. — Will you study for business? 

IV. To Music School 

(a) To prepare for concert singing or playing 

(b) To prepare to teach music 

(c) For one's pleasure at home 

V. To Art Schools 
To learn to be 

(a) Designers of fabrics, etc. 
{b) Illustrators 



(c) Costume designers 

(d) House decorators 




Fig. 180. — You may perhaps Study to be a designer. 



KEEPING WELL 



277 



VL To Trade School, or Vocational School 



To learn to be 
{a) Seamstress 

(b) Dressmaker 

(c) Milliner 

(d) Cook 

(e) Laundress 
(/) Waitress 



(g) Caterers 
(h)' Housekeeper 
(z) Saleswoman 
(y) Nursemaid 
(k) Lady's maid 




Fig. 181. — Some girls will be dressmakers. 



VI L To Agricultural School 
To prepare few: 

(a) Gardening 

(b) Fruit raising 

(c) Poultry raising 



(d) Live stock raising 

(e) Landscape gardening 
(/) Tree nurseryman 



VIII. To College 

To become 

(a) Teachers in high schools and colleges 

(b) Journalists and writers 

(c) Ministers 



278 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



{d) Lawyers 
{e) Physicians 
(/) Administrative work 

1. Head of institutions as dormitory director 

2. Visiting housekeeper 

3. Manager of school lunch rooms, tea rooms, res- 

taurants, laundries 
(g) Research work, bacteriologist or chemist 
(A) Business women 

1. Real estate, insurance, banking 

2. Department store work, manager of departments 

3. Social secretaries 
{i) Librarians 




Fig. 182. — Some college women become physicians. 



IX. To School or College preparing for Social Work 
To become 

{a) District visitor 

{h) Social worker with the poor 

{c) Religious worker or missionary 



KEEPING WELL 279 

X. To Schools teaching Home-making 

To study to be a home-maker in order to know about care of 
family, babies, sick, old people; proper food for family and 
how to prepare and serve it ; proper clothing for family, how 
to purchase it wisely, care for it, and make it ; proper sur- 
roundings for the family group ; how to make home pretty, 
attractive, restful ; how to run it smoothly and to care for its 
furnishings ; how to be a real wife and mother. 

For the girl who must stay at home. Sometimes 
girls cannot go away to prepare to earn their living, 
but must stay at home. Look at the hst below and see 
if there is anything you can do in your neighborhood 
to earn money while helping at home. You can pre- 
pare for some of these by reading, going to school as 
long as you can, asking your teacher to suggest books 
for you to buy or for the librarian to get for your town 
library, and learning all that Miss James taught the 
Pleasant Valley girls in this textbook. Then, too, 
girls learn much at home. Keep your eyes open and 
be ready to see things and to do all you can to learn. 
If there is an earnest desire and determination to do, 
the way will open. Ask your teacher, minister, libra- 
rian, the lecturer from the State Agricultural Col- 
lege, the United States Departments at Washington, 
and do not be afraid to write to them and others for 
suggestions. Sometimes correspondence courses are 
helpful. Effort must be made in order to achieve. 
One will never accomplish anything without trying. 

Here are a few of the things girls are doing in some 
parts of our country. This list may suggest to you 



28o 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 



something you can do while staying at home. Per- 
haps you may be able to earn enough to go away for 
a while to study or to buy equipment, and so to 
enlarge your work at home. 

I. Animal Husbandry 

1. Raising chickens, pigeons, ducks, geese for feathers and 

for sale 

2. Raising chickens, for eggs 

3. Raising dogs, angora cats, pigs, calves, sheep 

4. Raising bees 




Courtesy of FarmeT's Wife Journal. 

Fig. 183. — This North Dakota girl won the prize in the 

North Dakota Pork Contest. These hogs in half a year 

returned ^104.68 above their food cost, or a return of 54I 

cents a day. Why shouldn't girls raise pigs ? 

II. Gardening 

1. Raising flowers for sale to summer boarders 

2. Raising tomatoes, cabbage, other plants in hot beds 

3. Raising strawberries, blackberries, raspberries 

4. Raising apples, cherries; taking care of some trees on 

father's farm 

5. Raising vegetables, garden truck, peanuts 



"KEEPING WELL 281 

IIL Personal Service (out) 

Working by hour, day, or week 

1. Waiting on table at hotel 

2. Expert waitress for parties 

3. Caring for children during parents' absence 

4. Caring for sick or amusing convalescents 

5. Going shopping for those unable to leave home 

6. Being a companion to old people or reading to old or 

blind 

7. Assisting neighbors with cleaning, cooking, laundering, 

etc. 

8. Sewing 

9. Catering for parties 

IV. Personal Service (at home) 

1. Taking summer boarders, or regular boarders 

2. Taking children to board 

3. Laundering fine shirtwaists for summer boarders 
General laundry work 

Laundering baby clothes and fine lingerie 

4. Preparing gift packages for Christmas and birthdays, 

of country products tied up daintily, for sale to 
exchanges and other places, to be sent by parcel 
post 

5. Preserving jellies, fruits, marmalades, vegetables 
Canning pickles, relishes, etc. 

6. Baking cake, cookies, bread, rolls 

7. Candy making 

8. Maple sugar and sirup 

9. Cheese making — cottage cheese attractively done up 

10. Butter making — fancy prints, buttermilk, cream 

11. Catering. For teas, suppers, picnics, church parties 

12. Salad dressings, as a specialty 

13. Soap making 



282 



THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 




Courtesy of Miss Helen Gray, St. Johnsbury, Vt. 

Fig. 184. — This girl is making a great deal of money at home. Do you know 

how to make candy well ^ 

14. Preparing for automobile parties 
Lunch counter 

Tearoom 
Lunch boxes 
Dinner boxes 

15. Drying fruits, peeled or plain; drying sage, thyme 

16. Making baskets, drying balsam, making balsam 

pillows, cornhusk mats 

17. Weaving rugs and braiding mats 

18. Sewing and dressmaking 

19. Millinery 

20. Making specialty of children's clothes or shirt waists 

or house dresses or other specialties much used 
in neighborhood 

21. Repairing and remodeling clothes 

22. Knitting or crocheting to order, or for stores 



KEEPING WELL 283 

23. Shampooing and hairdressing, at home or shop 

24'. Starting Hbrary at one's home, small fee, begin with 
few books 

25. Curing hams and bacons 

26. Raising and gathering nuts 

27. Starting canning club 

28. Preparing Sunday dinners to be delivered 

29. Peanut raising 

V. Using automobile or horses 

1. Transportation of summer boarders 

2. Carrying children to school 

3. Auto parties 

Things necessary for success. Perhaps in this list 
you will find something which you can do. Several 
things are necessary for success. One must be prompt 
and businesslike. It pays to have a specialty — a 
good sunshine cake ; some particular kind of nut 
bread, which can be sent by parcel post or sold in one's 
own town ; some particular kind of knitted wash 
cloths or something well done which people want. 
Then one must advertise ; it also pays. Tell people 
about your specialty, put a notice in the Pleasant 
Valley News, send out some notices printed or type- 
written or even written. See if you can contract with 
the village storekeeper for your products for putting 
them on sale for commission. Write to Women's 
Exchanges in any large city near, to find out what ar- 
rangement can be made. Always have an attractive 
package for your products. It helps to sell goods. 
Perhaps acquaintance with summer boarders may lead 



284 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

to delivery of your products away from home and a 
business with people you do not know. The secret 
is having something attractive which people wish. 

After all that has been written it is not necessary 
to speak of the immaculate cleanliness of the worker 
and the products. Advertise its cleanliness. People 
want clean things to eat made under clean conditions. 
Learn to do some one thing well. 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. If you know that you must soon prepare to earn your own 
living, talk with some of your friends, teachers, or minister about 
it. It helps one to talk things over. 

2. Think of some ways by which you can earn some money at 
home. 

3. Find out all you can from books at the library and from sug- 
gestions made by your teacher, of the opportunities for work or 
vocations open to girls. 

Lesson 7 

one more thought. what is your share ? 

Miss James says there is one lesson more she wishes to give 
about planning to live happy lives. Would you like to know too ? 

The Secret. Miss James told the Pleasant Valley 
girls that no life is really happy which is lived selfishly. 
No person who is living and earning and working for 
her own gratification is a really helpful or happy per- 
son. It is only through giving of ourselves, our time, 
our money, and our lives, that this real happiness is 
attainable. This is the secret. What is to be your 



KEEPING WELL 285 

share of work in the world ? How is your hfe to 
count towards helping human need ? The girls and 
boys of Pleasant Valley are making a study of this. 
Can you classify the people you have learned about in 
history, great men and great women who have made 
their lives count ? Think of the great — 

Physicians Engineers 

Lawyers Inventors 

Preachers Musicians 

Statesmen Artists 

Explorers Writers 
Teachers 

Can you name some and tell their contributions to 
human need ? Think of some you know who are busy 
to-day in our country, each one using his great gift. 
*' Great gifts bring great responsibilities." What is 
your great gift ? Perhaps it is a small one, but it too 
can count. 

Can you recall some women you have studied about ? 
What did Mrs. Richards contribute in her work in the 
world .^ How did she do this ? Think of some of the 
women living to-day who are giving of their gifts. 

What is your share? This giving brings real hap- 
piness to the giver. Search and see in what ways you 
can make your life count for your country. There 
are always ways to reach out, either alone or with 
others in societies, clubs, and organizations. What is 
to be your share ^ Have you made a plan for this ^ 



286 THE HOME AND THE FAMILY 

EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS 

1. What clubs do you belong to ? How are they helping you 
and others ? 

2. Have you decided in what way you would like to make 
your life count ? 

REVIEW *PROBLEMS 

I. Study the life of some well-known man or woman. Try to 
discover in what ways that life has counted for helpfulness in the 
world. 

H. What plans for happiness, of those suggested in this chap- 
ter, can you put in operation at once .? 

HI. What work do you think you will choose ? Are you 
beginning to prepare yourself for it ? This is very necessary. 



INDEX 



Articles necessary for girls' room, 17. 

Baby: 

calendar of food, 191. 

care in preparing milk for, 186. 

care of, 161. 

care of milk for, 182. 

clock for, 175! 

crib and clothes basket for, 170. 

exercises for, 173. 

food for, 177-179. 

fresh air and sunshine, 171. 

how much to feed, 192. 

how often to bathe, 167. 

how to keep baby clean, 164. 

how to modify milk for, 189. 

important things about keeping well, 

162. 
important to keep bottles for, clean, 

184. 
night clothing for, 169. 
not a plaything, 173, , 
pure milk for, 180-185. 
should be nursed regularly, 178. 
sleep important for, 168-170. 
suggestions for comfort, 172. 
summary of things learned about, 

209-2 1 1 . 
when to wean, 194. 
baby's bath, 164-168. 

things necessary for, 164. 
baby's clothing : 

at age of a month, 199. 

at age of six months, 201. 

for summer, 197. 

how much it costs, 204-208. 



Baby's clothing — -continued 

how much of, shall mother make, 204. 

if bought ready made, 206. 

if some articles are made at home, 

206. 
in winter, 197. 
wool, 203. 
baby's food : 

barley gruel, 196. 
barley water, 195. 
calendar for, 191. 
dried bread, 196. 
egg yolk, 196. 
orange juice, 195. 
baby's milk : 

care in preparing, 180-189. 
how to modify, 189-195. 
Bacon broiled, 228. 
Bacteria in dust, how destroy, 97. 
Baking-powder biscuit, 231. 
Barley gruel, 196. 
Barley water, 195. 
Barrel traps for rats, 159. 
Bath for baby, 164-168. 
Bathing arrangements in the bedroom, 

III. 
Bathroom : 

care of, in case of illness, 115. 

cleaning, 114-115. 

curtains for, 46. 

Ellen H. Richards house, 44. 

floor, 45. 

furnishings, 45. 

plan for, 44-45. 

plumbing for, 47. 

what to do when there is no, 116. 



287 



288 



INDEX 



Bean hole, 229. 
Bed: 

airing, 109. 

clothes, 109. 

for girls' room, 21. 

furnishings, 21-23. 

making, no. 

Miss James', 35, 38. 
Bedroom : 

a few little things about, iii. 

bathing arrangements in, in. 

care of closet, 112. 

chairs suitable for, 24, 27-29. 

curtains, 19. 

floor, 9-1 1. 

furniture for, 16-24. 

how to make attractive, 8-9. 

rearranging, 41-43. 

taking care of, 108-113. 

wall-paper for, 12-13. 

weekly cleaning, 11 2-1 14. 
Bed spreads, 24. 
Blankets : 

airing, 109-110. 

for bed, 122. 
Bottles : 

kept clean for baby, 184. 
Breathing properly, 240. 
Broom, 129. 
Budget, 265-267. 
Bureau : 

m girls' room, 29. 

Miss James', 39. 

Calisthenics, 244. 

Camping out, 225-232. 

Caring for polished surfaces, 122. 

Carpet-rugs, 59. 

Ceiling : 

cleaning, 121. 

decorating, 14. 
Cellar: 

cleaning, 131. 

making strong and dry, 131. 

ventilating, 133. 



Cellar — continued 

why important to have a good, 131. 

windows in, 134. 
Chairs : 

bedroom, 25-29. 

Chippendale, 25. 

colonial, 27. 

dining room, 74-76. 

Heppelwhite, 26. 

Jacobean, 25. 

living room, 61-63. 

Sheraton, 26. 

suitable for bedroom, 27. 

wicker, 27. 

Windsor, 27. 
Chiffonier, 29. 
Christmas : 

candy for, 234. 

Christmas day, 232. 
Clean thoughts, 261. 
Cleaning : 

at Ellen H. Richards' house, 117-119. 

bathroom, 114-115. 

bedroom, 112-114. 

cellar, 131. 

dining room, 128. 

equipment for, 103. 

kitchen, 134. 

lamps, 127. 

living room, 1 17-128. 

living room stove, 119. 

metals, 120. 

pantry, 140. 

piano, 122. 

pictures, walls, and ceiling, 121. 

points about, 129. 

polished surfaces, 122. 

power to use tools for, 105-107, 

refrigerator, 141. 

shades, 124. 

silver, 129. 

windows, 124. 
Cleanliness : 

for keeping well, 258. 

habits of, 260. 



INDEX 



289 



Cleanliness — continued 

thought given to each day, 259. 

what it costs, 258. 
Clock for baby, 175. 
Closet, with tools for cleaning, 104. 
Clothes, arrangement for hanging, 17. 
Clothes sprinkler, 144. 
Coffee, 230. 
Color : 

floors, 15, 36. 

Miss James' talks about, 53-55. 

scheme for living room, 51, 

walls, II, 15, 36. 

wall paper, 13. 

woodwork, 14, 15, 36-37. 
Commonwealth, 8. 
Convenient tubs, 144. 
Corner closet, 18. 
Cosy desk corner, 6j. 
Cottage : 

furniture, 28. 

loaned to Pleasant Valley School, 3-4. 

remodeling, 4-10. 
Cows, 1 80. 
Cretonne, 18-20. 
Curtains : 

bathroom, 46. 

bedroom, 19. 

cheesecloth, 19-20. 

dining room, 76. 

hanging, 20, 

Miss James', 40. 

Davenport, 60. 
Day bed cover, 23-24. 
Decoration, 71. 
Desk: 

living room, 61. 

Miss James', 38. 
Desk chair, for living room, 63. 
Desk table, 30. 
Dining room : 

chairs, 74-76. 

cleaning, 128. 

comfortable, cozy, convenient, 78, 81. 



Dining room — continued 

curtains, y6. 

Ellen H. Richards house, 79. 

floor covering, 73. 

pictures for, 82. 

plans for, 70-S7. 

tables, 75. 
Dirt: 

campaign against, 100. 

what it is and when it is dangerous, 99. 
Dust and dirt, where come from, 96. 
"Dust collectors," 58. 
Dust garden, 99. 

Egg in a nest, 254. 
Egg yolk for baby, 196. 
Ellen H. Richards House: 

bathroom, 44. 

bedroom floors, 10. 

cleaning lessons at, 117. 

dining room, 79. 

finishing the walls, 12. 

furnishing, 6. 

girls study rooms of first floor, 52. 

kept neat and in order, 98. 

name chosen for, 87-88. 

remodeling, 6-10. 
Electricity, 107. 
Entertainment at school, 93. 
Exercise : 

each day counts, 243. 

for baby, 173. 

from daily work, 238. 

outdoor games best kind of, 241. 

to keep well, 237-244. 

Faucets, polishing, 135. 
Feather dusters, 129. 
Finishing off the room, 127. 
Flannel petticoats, for baby, 198. 
Flapjacks, 230. 
Flies : 

a household pest, 148-156. 

catching, 152. 

keeping out, 152. 



290 



INDEX 



Flies — continued 

poisoning, 153. 

the war against, 151. 

trapping, 153. 
Floor : 

bathroom, 45. 

bedroom, 9-1 1. 

color for, 11, 36. •* 

covering, 73. 

hardwood, 9. 
Flowers in the sick room, 255. 
Fly traps, 153-156. 
Food : 

consult doctor about, for baby, 187. 

for baby, 177. 

for sick people : 
egg in a nest, 254. 
lemon jelly, 254. 
Fourth of July, 235. 
Fresh air in the house, 119. 
Furnishings : 

bathroom, 45. 

beautiful and usable, 129. 

principles to guide in, 51, 57-59- 

simplicity a principle of, 51. 

standard of living determine, 58. 

study of color, 51. 

use of room studied in connection with, 

Furniture : 

identifying of different periods, 25-27. 
taking care of, 121. 
//ith "good lines," 72. 

Galvanized-iron can for fruit skins and 

papers, 98. 
Garbage pail, care of, 139. 
Giii who goes away to study, 274-278. 
Girl who stays home, 279. 
Girls' bedroom : 

arrangement for hanging clothes, 17. 

bright, homey, clean, 33. 

planning and furnishing, 16-35. 
"Good lines," 71- 
Granulated calcium chloride, 97. 



Habits of cleanliness, 260. 
Hallway, 82-84. 
Heating systems, 118. 
House : 

furnished in relation to health and 
convenience, 49, 

sun and air in, 102. 

See also Cottage, Ellen H. Richards 
house. 
Household pests, 148-160. 
Housewarming, 89-91. 
Housework, water power and electricity 

for, 106. 
How to be well and happy, 212-286. 
How young people can help the town, 97. 

Ice box, cleaning, 141. 

Iceless refrigerator, 141. 

Income, things for which spent, 268. 

Invitations for party, 90. 

Irons, 145. 

Keeping well : 

cleanliness, 258. 

principles for, 216, 

proper clothing, 249. 

proper drmks, 245. 

proper food, 247. ^ 

rest, 216. 

sleep, 216. 

work, 220, 272. 
Kerosene, for cleaning, 125. 
Kerosene lamps, 126. 
Kitchen : 

daily cleaning, 135. 

occasional cleaning, 137. 
Kitchen, remodeling and furnishing, 84- 

87. 
Kitchen stove, cleaning, 136. 

Labor-saving apparatus, 146. 
Ladder chair, 125. 
Lamps : 

cleaning, 126. 

for living room, 63. 



INDEX 



291 



Laundering : 

saving labor in, 143. 

suggestions for, 142-147. 
Laundry bags and baskets, 143. 
Learn to walk, 239. 
Living room : 

chairs, 61, 62, 63. 

cleaning, stove, 119. 

color scheme, 50-57. 

cozy, 69. 

cozy corner of, 49, 51. 

curtains, 63. 

davenport, 60. 

desk, 61. 

Ellen H. Richards house, 68. 

pictures for, 65. 

rugs for, 59. 

study of, 48-60. 

table, 60, 62. 

what furnishings should be provided 
in, 56. 

Making one's life count, 285. 
Mangle, 147. 
Marguerites, 91. 
Mattress, 21. 
Metals, cleaning, 120. 
Milk: 

how to modify for baby, 189. 

preparing for baby, 186-189. 

pure for baby, 180-185. 

things to be careful about in preparing 
for baby, 186. (See also Baby,) 
Miss James' bedroom, 36-43. 
Miss James' furniture, 38-43. 
Mosquitoes, 157-159. 
Mothers, things to do to help baby keep 

well, 178. 
Mrs. Richards' plan for spending, 270. 

Orange juice, 195. 

Order, importance of, 130. 

Outdoor games, 241. 

Pageant, 236. 

Pantry and saving steps, 78. 



Pantry, cleaning, 140. 
Pantry window box, 80. 
Paper: 

convenient roll of, 115. 

selecting, 12-14. 
Party on Ellen H. Richards' birthday, 

88-93. 
Peanut brittle, 234. 
Piano, cleaning, 122. 
Picnics, 224. 
Pictures : 

cleaning, 121. / 

dining room, 82. 

for bedroom, 31. 

for living room, 65. 

how to choose, 40-41. 

how to hang, 66. 
Picture moldings, 64. 
Pillowcases, 24. 
Pillows, 21. 
Pinoche, 235. 

Planning for twent^^-four hours, 214-216. 
Pleasure, 221-237. 
Prints, Japanese, 66-6j. 
Proper clothing, 249. 
Proper drinks, 245. 
Proper food, 247. 

Quilted pad, 23. 

Rag rugs, 17. 

Rats, 159. 

Receptacle for holding and burning 

papers, 98. 
Refrigerator : 

cleaning, 141. 

iceless, 141. 
Refreshing drinks for an invalid, 254. 
Rugs : 

flufF, 59. 

living room, 59. 

Secret of a happy life, 284. 
Serving food for sick people, 251. 
Shades, cleaning, 124. 



292 



INDEX 



Sheets, 22-24. 

Shelf, 33. 

Sheraton sideboard, 'j'j. 

Shoes, care of in bedroom, ill. 

Sickness : 

airing room in, 250. 

at home, 250-258. 

what a girl can do in case of, 250. 

what food to give, 252. 
Side table, 76. 
"Silent butler," 80. 
Silver, cleaning, 129. 
Simplicity, a principle of furnishing, 51. 
Sink, cleaning, 135. 
Sleep, important for baby, 168-170. 
Sleep or rest, 216-220. 
Sleeveboard, 144, 146. 
Spending, Mrs. Richards' plan for, 270. 
Springs, for bed, 21. 
"Sticky" fly paper, 152. 
Stove : 

cleaning kitchen, 136. 

cleaning living room, 119. 
Success, things necessary for, 283. 
Suction washer, 146. 
Summer clothing for baby, 197. 
Sun and air in the house, 102. 
Sunshine, value of, loi. 

Table : 

dining room, 75. 

living room, 60, 62. 
Taking care of ornaments and furniture, 

121. 
Tent, 227. 

Things girls are doing, 279. 
Things necessary for success, 283. 
Thinking happy thoughts, 262. 



Tip-top table, 41. 

Toast, 253. 



Utensils, for preparing food for baby, 

188. 



Vacuum cleaner, 123. 
Ventilation, cellar, 133. 

Walls : 

cleaning, 121. 

color for, 11, 13, 15, 36, 53. 

studied in relation to the light, etc., 11, 

.53- , 
Washington's birthday, 235. 

Waste basket, 31. 

Waste: 

disposal of, 98. 

forms of, 98, 100. 
Water power, 106. 
Well-planned budget, 265. 
What to go away to study, 274-278. 
Wicker chairs, 28. 
Window boxes, 64. 
Window furnishings, 63. 
Windows, cleaning, 124. 
Winter clothes, for baby, 197. 
Wire traps, 154. 
Wood box, 136. 
Woodwork, color of, 14. 
Work: 

for the girl who must stay at home, 
279. 

for the girl who can go away to study, 
274. 

importance of, 220. 

order in, important, 129. 

to keep one well or happy, 272. 



Printed in the United States of America. 









W^^W:MiB^mM^M^^^(^^^^^ 























:::;-.':^::;::'.:;:u5:;5™tn'H3u-.i5^H;'.v:'iV§^^i 












15' : i\fl|pl|pM||y||||pip|H|?g]^^^g 



:-;iji|:f:f;5i;i^iL;;^jjii^^iiipi'f5;iH^^ 










^y,~^Vi^::^:.\{i'\,:r^ 





